William Callow R.W.S. (1812-1908) - Malvern Common

In the late summer and early autumn of 1848 Callow toured Tewkesbury, Worcester and Hereford with his wife, where he found 'plenty of subjects to sketch' (see H.M. Cundall, ed. William Callow, R.W.S., F.R.G.S. An Autobiography, 1908, pp.100-101). His watercolour of Tewkesbury was later at the Old Society's Exhibition where Charles Dickens bought it for eight guineas. Another example from this tour was sold at Christie's (19/11/92, lot 111) which was a drawing of Goodrich Court, Herefordshire, and dated Sep 21. It is almost identical in size to this work and was completed around a month later suggesting Callow slowly made his way south. Abbott and Holder furthermore recently sold another drawing inscribed 'Great Malvern gate' and also dated 1848. This would have been completed on the same tour.
 
Medium: pencil and watercolour on paper watermarked 'J Whatman Turkey Mill 1847'.
 
Signed and inscribed lower left 'W Callow, Common Malvern, Aug 25 48', 24 x 35 cm, framed (with Tru Vue museum glass).
 
Provenance: Michael Spratt, English Watercolours Fine Art, Surrey.