On previous visits to Bath, I never entered the Victoria Art Gallery. Despite liking its name (!), I thought the contents might be rather bland. However, I found it a lively place celebrating all sorts of art projects for the community as well as exhibiting its collection.
Guess who presides over this entrance?
Not to be outdone by a female, Henry VIII (1491-1547) faces the gallery.
Sir Cloudesley Shovell sculpted about 1716 by Francis Bird. Shovell spent his life in H.M.Navy, reaching the status of Admiral of the Fleet. One wonders if his amusing name fueled his ambition.
As often in those days, George III was portrayed in a Roman toga with a circlet of laurel leaves by sculptor Peter Turnerelli in 1812.
Here is Charles Brudenell-Bruce (1773-1856), painted in 1779, before he was 'breeched,' that is, began wearing boys' clothing. Later he became the 1st Marquess of Ailesbury. The artist was William Hoare, a kinsman, and portraitist of many Bath residents.
The young woman with a cat is Miss Sophia Dumergue (1768-1831) painted by Johann Zoffany in 1780-81.
This kind of emotional, rather morbid, picture is exactly what I expected here. The Bride in Death was painted by Thomas Jones Barker in 1839. Below is a typically charming late Victorian canvas, The Watersplash by Henry Herbert La Thangue, 1900.
The museum also has a fine collection of glassware, china, and Wedgewood, much of it originating in the period of Bath's heyday, the mid to late 18th century and into the Victorian era.
More Bath soon...
RSS Feed