The College recently acquired an oil painting of Marlborough – View of Marlborough Town from the River Kennet – painted between 1795 and 1810.
Although this topographical work is neither signed nor attributed, thus far, it is an important acquisition in terms of heritage and local sense of place through time. The College was not founded until 1843, and the house built by Charles Seymour, the Sixth Duke of Somerset between 1700 and 1715, currently the home of C1, was then a famous hotel known as The Castle Inn.
From left to right the composition lovingly depicts the end of a house, presumably Washpool Cottage, C1 and the familiar rooftops and chimneys between St Peter’s Church and St Mary’s at the eastern end of the town.
What exudes from this painting is that the town and the land are one. This is fortified by painted skill and precision which defy time. The more one looks, its intrinsic beauty becomes more evident.
From 1930 to his passing in 1961, this painting belonged to Christopher Hughes (CR 1918-1946, Head of Art). Mr Hughes was Mayor of Marlborough three times, in 1935, 1944 and 1955.
The College is delighted to have brought this exceptional painting into its safe keeping.
Edward Twohig RE
Head of Art & Director of Visual Heritage
