Thomas Grainger, Meadowcroft, Near Ward Jackson Park, West Hartlepool

Thomas Grainger, Meadowcroft, Near Ward Jackson Park, West HartlepoolThis early 20th century watercolour by English artist Thomas Grainger (1849 1930) depicts a Meadowcroft, a Victorian villa in West Hartlepool. Built in 1895, Meadowcroft, now known as Meadowside, remains one of the towns most iconic buildings. It was constructed for Matthew Rickinson, an affluent ship owner, and his family. And by the 1920s, it had passed to George Jones JP. Here, in 1929, Grainger has captured it from the South West. An inscription

000 (Christie’s)

The trees are windswept

both established and provincial

1800Labels & Inscriptions: Inscribed with title in the top left

Several steeples

he would’ve become one of the finest illustrators of his generation - gaining increasing popularity among London’s elite publishers

which was popular for painters due to its seasonal changes

Harry Kluge (1879-1963)

has used a gorgeous palette of rich red hues to draw us into this immersive scene

If you look a little further down on the right

captured skilfully by a well-trained hand

full of youthful energy