ebay: ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE DORSET
MikeSmith
Seller: mikeuk
Starts: Jun-23-02 16:08:22 PDT
Ends: Jul-03-02 16:08:22 PDT
Price: Starts at $15.00
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Item Description:
Type:
Painting
Dominant Color:
Green
Watercolor
Country/Region:
Europe
Age:
1950-Now
Largest Dimension:
12" - 24"
Subject:
Landscape
SUPERB ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR – HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE DORSET UK
Superbly glazed and gilt framed, this magnificent original painted by Dorset
watercolorist Louisa Fairbrass depicts the romantic ruins of Highcliffe
Castle as they stood towards the end of the twentieth century before
extensive repair and restoration. The Castle was built between 1831 and 1835
by Lord Stuart de Rothesay. It has been described as "the most important
remaining example of the Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture."
The Castle was built on the site previously occupied by High Cliff, a
Georgian mansion designed for the 3rd Earl of Bute (a founder of Kew
Gardens), with grounds laid out by Capability Brown. The Earl's fourth son,
General Sir Charles Stuart who sold the estate apart from Bure Homage, a
small house on its outskirts, inherited High Cliff. All that remains of High
Cliff today are the two entrance lodges, presently being used as a
restaurant and some of the garden walls and features on the present estate.
The son of Sir Charles Stuart, also Charles Stuart, resolved that one day he
would repurchase his grandfather's estate and build his own home there. A
distinguished diplomat, his long and accomplished career resulted firstly in
being given a knighthood, and culminated in his being raised to the peerage
by George IV. In 1827 Sir Charles Stuart became Lord Stuart de Rothesay.
Early retirement meant Lord Stuart could pursue his dream and by 1830 he had
bought back much of the eastern end of the estate.
He employed architect William Donthorne, a founder member of RIBA, to design
his new home, Highcliffe Castle. The design incorporated large quantities of
carved medieval stonework which Lord Stuart had acquired from the Norman
Benedictine Abbey of St Peter at Jumieges and from the Grande Maison des
Andelys, both of which had become derelict following the French Revolution.
The most famous pieces are an entire oriel window and also a complete window
of stained glass, both from the sixteenth century. Examples of stained glass
from France and other European countries, dating as far back as the twelfth
century, were also introduced.
The Castle was built almost "L" shaped and positioned on a south-east axis
with the oriel window placed centrally on the south-east elevation. This was
to incorporate a vista through landscaped gardens across Christchurch Bay to
the Needles and the Isle of Wight. The end result was a remarkable and
unique building in the Romantic Picturesque style, which remained in the
family until 1950
This beautiful picture measures a stunning 13 x 17inches to the edge of the
frame. OWN A SUPERB EXAMPLE OF ORIGINAL ENGLISH WATERCOLOR ART. Shipping &
Handling US$7.90 (Surface, US & Canada). £4.00 UK. ASK US TO QUOTE FOR
AIRMAIL BEFORE BIDDING Seller welcomes BidPay and PayPal, US$ checks and MOs
and GB£ cheques and POs mailed to his UK address. US$ checks paid into
standard US checking account - no unexpected charges. UK and other non-US
customers please e-mail me for shipping quote.
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