Did you know that the BBC has been busy putting all the British paintings which are in public ownership onto a website? They have just completed the mammoth task so all of the paintings which are owned by local authorities are now available for viewing online. You can see them here.
I’ve been snooping around on that site for quite a while and have pinned some of the paintings already, particularly ones which feature scenery which is dear to me, it’s that ‘hills of home’ thing, but I see that since I last visited the site quite a few more local scenes have appeared, I’ll have to get pinning.
This is one of my favourites. It’s the Cloch Lighthouse at the Tail of the Bank on the Clyde estuary. It dates from the 1930s and is by Norman Wilkinson. I love that 30s style.
This one was painted in about 1853 and is of the town I grew up in, albeit more than 100 years before I got there, it’s Dumbarton from Kirktonhill, by David Octavius Hill.
If you have some spare time you should have a wander around the site you never know what you might find.
Both are lovely. I like the Dumbarton one, there are cows in it. I’m quite sure it’s not so rural now is it!? I’ll check out the site!
Peggy Ann,
If you put ‘cows’ into the search bit it’ll come up with more cows than even you could cope with!
Dumbarton has spread into the hills, sadly it’s not nearly so nice now.
What a fabulous website! I love the Norman Wilkinson painting – you’re right it’s pure 1930s. Many years ago I treated myself to a fairly large painting by Ethel Walker and it was wonderful to browse many of her other paintings, I especially love her seascapes. I think I’ll be spending some time browsing here!
Linda,
I actually had to google Ethel Walker. Lucky you, I like her lochs! I think a lot of time will be spent wandering around in this website, by me anyway. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
How fascinating! I will definitely browse the site. I love the Norman Wilkinson painting – the colors are beautiful.
Anbolyn,
I love that 1930s art which often featured on travel posters, it’s so stylish.
Thank you so much for this important and fascinating website. As an art lover and visitor to many art museums, I will have many hours of joy!
Lorraine,
I love going around galleries and museums too but at least this way it isn’t so exhausting. Have fun – I intend to!
I didn’t know so thanks for the link!
Margaret,
I hope you find it interesting.
What a lovely way of looking at paintings. Off to see if any are of near where I live.
Jo,
I’m sure there must be, I hope you find something interesting.
I love the 1930s travel art, too. It makes travel look so exciting and exotic.
Joan,
Probably they didn’t have all the problems we have now too – like leaves on the line stopping trains!
Just came across a youtube video almost by accident. Thought you and Evee might enjoy it. “Mull of Kintyre- Susan Boyle’s Scotland”. Now I have to Google Mull of Kintyre!
Lorraine,
I’ve just had a look at a bit of the video, my internet connection is still painfully slow. It’s nice to hear her singing something different from that Dream song. I have never been to Mull of Kintyre, but I’m sure Evee knows it well!
I love the 1930s posters too. I thought that was the Waverley going “doon the watter” but there’s no paddle. It’s more like the old King George V – the KG five – that used to go from Oban to Fort William,Iona or up the Sound of Mull.
David Octavius Hill was my great great grand-uncle. His sister Mary Hill was my great great grandmother! I think my sister inherited David’s artistic skill.
I’ve actually only been as far as Campbelltown in Kintyre, and not as far as the Mull. It’s nice in Kintyre, though i believe from friends on the west of Kintyre that they are getting terrible rain just now.
Evee,
That’s amazing. I was wondering if David Octavius Hill was related to Octavia Hill, I think she founded the National Trust. I heard it was wet in the west but that’s nothing new!