A Low Sun by JMW Turner, c. 1835-40. Courtesy Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service.
Jayna Makwana found herself afloat in a sea of fine watercolours at Norwich Castle Gallery.
Norwich Castle Gallery is celebrating the bicentenary of the Norwich Society of Artists by hosting a series of exhibitions called Landscape 200.
I reviewed the fascinating John Sell Cotman collection earlier in April 2005. Now I will explore what is considered the most important collection of British watercolours in private hands: the Hickman Bacon Collection, on show until June 26, 2005.
This collection provides a near complete survey of the great age of landscape watercolours in Britain and was chosen with a flair and coherence that reflect the enthusiasm of a single collector, Sir Hickman Bacon.
Comprising of some 400 watercolours and drawings, the collection features works by some of the finest British watercolorists, including John Robert Cozens, Thomas Girtin, J.M.W Turner, John Sell Cotman, David Cox, Peter De Wint and Richard Parkes Bonington.
Pembroke Castle by David Cox, c.1810. Courtesy NMAS.
The collection remains in surprisingly good condition. It reflects the taste of Sir Hickman Bacon that has less to do with scenery and landscape; rather the artworks reflect more of an interest in the ghostly but delicate effect of watercolour painting, particularly in the work of Turner, which represents a response to place.
Sir Hickman Bacon (1855-1945), or Hickey as he is affectionately known by his family, lived in Thonock in Lincolnshire. Having served in the Grenadier Guards he also spent an active life in public service. He was broad-minded in his politics, being friendly with many Liberals and Conservatives including Winston Churchill.
He was also a strong supporter of his local Co-operative Society and of the Working Men’s Institute, both organisations operating to improve the lives of working people.
Not only was he a generous contributor to his community but he was also a rather keen sportsman, being a member of Lincolnshire football, cricket and golf clubs and a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron. Later he became a knowledgeable enthusiast of the motorcar and was elected a member of the Society of Automobile Engineers.
A Figure in a Boat on a River by John Sell Cotman, 1830s. Courtesy NMAS.
Sir Hickman Bacon collected an assortment of items – fabrics, wall hangings, ceramics and Japanese prints – and became a member of the Society of Antiquaries at the tender age of 23. However his passion for watercolours remains his most clear achievement as a collector, which apparent in the exhibition.
The art historian Margaret Pilkington described Sir Hickman Bacon in 1937 as: “a beautiful old man, very distinguished looking, with a white beard and a thin refined face – rather austere but full of life and character.”
Despite an affair with an Austrian countess, he remained a bachelor and on his death the collection was passed to his nephew, Sir Edmund Castell Bacon (1903-1982).
Landscape 200 is not only celebrating the bicentenary of the Norwich School of Artists’ first exhibition, it is also looking forward to inspire new and contemporary artists of today, who maybe one day will revive the watercolour tradition in Norwich.
Jayna Makwana is the 24 Hour Museum/Norwich HEART Student Writer in Norwich. Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust is the groundbreaking initiative to regenerate, manage and promote one of the most remarkable heritage resources in the UK and in Europe.
