Victoria Susan Satterthwaite On the Outskirts of Florence, Italy

Victoria Susan Satterthwaite (1837–1906)

This watercolour forms part of a charming collection of works by Victoria Susan Satterthwaite née Hornby (1837–1906). The pictures provide snapshots of her travels in the UK, taking in popular Victorian seaside destinations, such as Morecambe and Hastings, along with trips to Scotland and Wales. There are also many delightful subjects relating to her family homes.

Victoria was born at Dalton Hall, Burton-in-Kendal, to Edmund George Hornby, MP for Warrington and Constable of Lancaster Castle, and Sarah Yates, who was a first cousin of the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel. In 1861 Victoria married Rev Charles James Satterthwaite, vicar at Disley in Cheshire, who later went on to become Honorary Canon of Chester in 1904. The collection includes charming pictures of their children, Ghita, Eddie and Geoffie, at home at Disley Parsonage.

The watercolours tell a story of life amongst the upper classes in Victorian Britain, with many of the travel views painted from the windows of the era's grand hotels, some of which are now demolished, as is Dalton Hall. The paintings also document visits to friends, such as the Macclesfield philanthropist Herbert Philips. They also evoke the dedicated life of a village curate and his wife in the 19th century: Rev Charles James Satterthwaite was deeply committed to his parish of Disley, serving for fifty-one years and determined in his fundraising for the growing local mining community.