John Miller Winch (1857–1834) - 1915 Oil Colchester Street Scene

Description

A charming oil street scene from the early 20th Century, showing the shop fronts on Colchester high street in early morning sunshine. A smartly dressed man waits to cross the street while a shopkeeper sweeps the pavement in front of his shop as children play around him. The artist has wonderfully captured the shafting light and quiet morning atmosphere. The painting is signed and dated to the lower right and presented in a gilt frame.  On canvas.

Condition

There is a large canvas tear at the reverse which has been restored at the front. There is a small dent to the canvas at the lower left corner and a very small hole to the upper edge. The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration and foxing across the surface. The frame has some tarnishing and surface dirt.

Size

23 x 34cm (9.1" x 13.4")

Artist Biography

John Miller Winch, was born at Priory Street, Colchester, Essex, in 1857, son of John Winch (1808-1870), a cabinet maker, and his wife Maria née Edwards (1820-1864), Maria was born at Washbrook, Suffolk and married at Colchester on 2 October 1849. In 1891, John was a photographer, living at 208 Magdalen Street, Colchester and ten years later at the same address a 'foreign stamp dealer & artist' but by 1911 had moved to 19 Wellesley Road, Colchester. Painter in oil of landscapes, figures and animals and a member of Ipswich Art Club 1891-1930, exhibiting some thiry works 1891-1914 including in 1891 from St Botolph's House, Colchester, an oil 'Una Fiasca de Vino', in 1894 'The Hermit', in 1900 'Sleeping Michael, a Puppy' and 'Cat's Head'. From 19 Wellesley Road, Colchester in 1914 he exhibited 'Old Roofs, Colchester' and later he lived at Woodland View, 101 Straight Road, Lexden, Colchester. He married at Colchester in 1921, Mary Jane Barton. Winch was of Woodland View, 101 Straight Road, Lexden, Colchester when he died at Crouch Street, Colchester on 15 October 1934, being survived by his widow.