Bernard Cecil Gotch (1876-1964)

Clarendon Building and Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford

Watercolour

27 x 39 cm

Signed lower right.

Gotch’s wintry view of the Clarendon and the Sheldonian captures both the most illustrious architecture of the University of Oxford, and the building works taking place to build a new library. Gotch paints his scene from a viewpoint just in front of Wadham College; the Radcliffe Camera and the spire of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin are visible behind the Sheldonian’s roof. The building site visible across from Wadham is the site where the New Bodleian now stands.

Bernard Cecil Gotch was a Winchester born artist who is best known for his atmospheric watercolours of Britain’s towns and cities (most notably Oxford).

He moved to Oxford in 1927, painting many watercolours of the interiors and exteriors of Oxford’s many buildings. His works concentrate on the grand exteriors and interiors of the University’s colleges, and he exhibited frequently – including an exhibition every term at Oriel College.

His first notable commission was for the publisher Methuen, illustrating ‘A Shepherd’s Life’ by W H Hudson. Whilst in London he was invited to illustrate a book on the Public Schools of England (which was sadly never completed). He exhibited watercolours at the Fine Art Society and Lincolns Inn, and also exhibited at the Royal Academy.

In 1952 Gotch was given an Honorary MA by the University of Oxford, and, after his death in 1963, a memorial was held for him at Oriel.

Condition: very good; original oak frame.