William Callow R.W.S. (1812-1908) - Cottage in Halton, Buckinghamshire

A charming watercolour of a thatched cottage in the village of Halton in Buckinghamshire. Callow lived in Great Missenden which was less than seven miles away from Halton and was easily within walking or riding distance of the artist. The watercolour was clearly painted on a warm day with the washing line of the cottage being fully in operation. There is a small stream running in the foreground of the composition, together with a large hill visible in the distance.
 
Callow mentions Halton in his memoirs and writes 'In the following year, 1868, Sir Anthony and Lady de Rothschild held an exhibition, in the grounds of their house at Halton, of the several industries carried on in the county of Bucks; it comprised lace, straw-plaiting, and various other work. Mr. Disraeli opened the Exhibition, and gave an address to about three thousand people, who had assembled. They arrived in carriages, carts, and even in canal boats. Many well-known people were present, including the Bishop of Oxford and Miss Burdett Coutts. The exhibition remained open for several days, and it was a great success.' (see H.M. Cundall, ed. William Callow, R.W.S., F.R.G.S. An Autobiography, 1908, p.125). The de Rothschild's were clearly an important family and Callow undoubtably visited Halton on many other occasions.
 
Medium: watercolour on paper, 17.5 x 25.4 cm, framed.
 
Provenance: Spink (King Street, St James's), stock number: K3 7918.
 
Condition report: excellent and with the colouring still very vibrant. There are a couple of tiny markings in the sky which can be seen in the photographs. The mount is could do with being replaced at some point with the watercolour appearing to have been in the frame for a long period. The mount has the watermark 'Ingres cover fabriano' visible at the bottom.