Buck's painting

From the Falmouth Packet, 17th November 2006

 

Rare painting up for sale

 

A local person with £15,000 or more to spare is being sought to buy a rare and historical painting of St.Mawes Castle. It is believed to be an eighteenth century work of art and will be auctioned by Christie's at their King Street auction rooms in London on November 22.

 

English Heritage have no money to buy it and fingers are crossed that the regionally significant painting will be bought by someone local and remain within Cornwall. The unsigned, untitled, oil painting, which is expected to sell for between £10,000 and £15,000, is a dramatic view of the busy harbour surrounding St. Mawes Castle with the Tudor stronghold in the foreground and Pendennis Castle, Falmouth and the Carrick roads in the background.

 

Christie's and English Heritage believe the oil painting is the work of the Buck brothers. It is almost identical to a known eighteenth century engraving by Samuel Buck and his brother Nathaniel (fl.1724-1753). They spent over 30 years travelling England and Wales, drawing views of the country's historical sites. Engravings of these views were initially sold individually as prints, and bound as a book in 1774: Buck's Antiquities; or Venerable Remains of above Four Hundred Castles, Monasteries, Palaces, &c. &c. in England and Wales. The engravings were intended to preserve the picturesque views for the pleasure and instruction of future generations.

 

Philippa Spackman, Site Supervisor at St. Mawes Castle, said: "The painting is a fascinating record of how St Mawes and Pendennis Castles looked in the early eighteenth century. Although we would like to buy it, sadly we don't have sufficient funds. However, it would be wonderful if the painting was purchased by someone local, allowing it to be publicly displayed - even if it was only occasionally."

 

The painting captures an historic estuarine view of St. Mawes Castle and the surrounding Cornish landscape.

Now, shucks - if I'd known this was up for sale (and had £15,000 to spare), I'd have bought it.

Apparently £15,000 would not have been enough. According to my contacts, the painting sold for £21,000.

The Painting

Artist Circle Of Samuel & Nathaniel Buck

Title View of St. Mawes Castle, with Pendennis Castle, the town of Falmouth and the Carrick Roads beyond

Medium oil on canvas

Size 39.8 x 55.2 in. / 101 x 140.3 cm.

Sale Of Christie's London: Wednesday, November 22, 2006

[Lot 50]

British Pictures 1500-1850