Winchester College possesses the watercolour below. Watch this short video to see some of its details. Beneath the video I give a description of it, including a large image, an overview of the watercolours at Winchester, a short biography of Paul Sandby, and a compilation of similar pieces.
The above watercolour depicts the Henry VIII gateway at Windsor Castle in around 1780. It was one of the earliest pieces in Winchester College's extensive watercolour collection, having been gifted by Harry Collinson in 1940. It offers insights into life at Windsor Castle in the 18th century.
Alongside watercolours, pen and black ink were used. The watercolour is 13 centimetres tall and 18 centimetres wide.
On the right is a knife-grinder, working at his stall. Through the gate are two well-dressed men on horseback and one guard on foot. A portion of St George's Chapel can be seen behind. In the centre are two boys, one carrying a basket, possibly filled with loaves of bread, and one attempting to control a dog, holding a box. Two armed men watch on. A lady, with a fruit basket, sits to the left of the gate, watching a chimney sweep, still covered in ash. A small girl sits in the guard box, holding a baby.
Winchester College's watercolour collection began in 1940 when Harry Collinson gave a significant number (over 100) to the school. Since then, after bequests from Colonel Arthur Brooks, General Sir John Anderson and Adam Crick, the collection has grown to around 400. The majority of the collection is from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Paul Sandby was born in Nottingham in 1725. He began his career as a cartographer, surveying the Scottish Highlands after the Jacobite Rebellion. In the 1750s, he assisted his brother, Thomas, in drawing Windsor Castle. He also campaigned for the foundation of the Royal Academy. He succeeded in 1768 and became one of its founding members.
Other watercolours depicting a similar scene by the same artist exist. One is in the Royal Collection (rct.uk/collection/914548/the-henry-viii-gateway-with-a-view-of-st-georges-chapel) and another is in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/42074). An engraving of the scene has been published twice.
Exhibition - Prince Philip: A Celebration: godtres.wixsite.com/cornucopia/post/exhibition-prince-philip-a-celebration
Winchester College – Collections: winchestercollections.co.uk/collection/sandby-henryviii-gateway
Winchester College Watercolour Collection: treasury.winchestercollege.org/new-design/pages/treasury/treasury-watercolour-collection-
Watercolours from Winchester College: amazon.co.uk/dp/B00SHSQ8OY
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