Studio RT Ltd

Description

This is a very executed marine watercolour of Sir Francis Drake's flagship Golden Hind, by the very collectable marine artist John Millington, who has signed the painting J. Millington to the lower right hand corner and inscribed it verso 'The Golden Hind Sir Francis Drake's Discovery Ship'. The Golden Hind was an English galleon best known for her privateering circumnavigation of the globe between 1577 and 1580, captained by Sir Francis Drake. She was originally known as Pelican, but was renamed by Drake mid-voyage in 1578, in honour of his patron, Sir Christopher Hatton, whose crest was a golden 'hind' (a female red deer). Hatton was one of the principal sponsors of Drake's world voyage.

John Millington (1891-1948), we are giving the dates by which he is commonly known, was actually born in Lancashire on 29th May, 1881, the son of a bookstall manager. He is listed in Jeremy Wood's excellent book entitled 'Hidden Talents' where there is a picture of one of his works on page 106. This biography follows:

'John Millington (1891-1948). Painter of marines and architectural subjects in ink and watercolour. John Millington worked for many years for Martins Bank in London but his spare time was spent painting marines, particularly tall clippers and tramp steamers. Many of his paintings were sold through gladwell & Co. art dealers in the City. John Millington's work gained considerable popularity so he retired early from the bank to concentrate on the commissions. During the Second World War he painted many views in the City of streets and courtyards which were later destroyed by the bombs.

John Millington's pictures are not often seen on the market, but the quality and subject matter have made them collectable.'

Our research has discovered that in 1901, he was living in York with his parents, also in the 1911 Census in Hornsey in North London still with his parents. By the 1939 Census both he and his father had been widowed and were living with a housekeeper at 3 Bourne Avenue, Southgate still in North London. His occupation was listed as bank clerk. He died in Shoreditch, near to the Thames that he so often painted in 1949 at the age of 68. The extremely helpful people at Gladwell & Patterson, formerly Gladwell & Co. confirmed that he was well known to their company and that he had been painting up until his death.

His auction results are available at the usual sites, where some of his paintings of London and the Thames have achieved prices in excess of £1,000.

The painting is mounted with washlines and is framed in a 7/8" gilt frame. It will be supplied wired and ready to hang.

Image size: 18 1/2" x 13 3/4" - 47cm 34.95cm

Frame size: 26 1/2" x 21 1/4" - 67.3cm x 54cm

Medium: Watercolours on paper

Condition: Very good. There is no foxing and the colours are strong. The mounts and frame are in good condition.