During the early 19th century Bristol witnessed a period of unique creativity. From about 1810, artists who moved to this historic global port on the river Avon encountered a stimulating intellectual climate, urban life and striking natural settings which in turn inspired and favoured their distinct contribution to British art. Yet today artists like Edward Bird, Francis Danby or Rolinda Sharples are not well known among British or international audiences. To put this right, the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Bordeaux was to open an exhibition of works by Bristol School artist this May - with support from the Louvre and most of the loans coming from Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. The opening had to be postponed, but here are my highlights.
View of Bristol from Clifton Wood 1837
William James Müller (1812–1845)
Oil on canvas
H 91.4 x W 172.7 cm
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
Edward Bird (1772–1819), RA 1817
Edward Villiers Rippingille (1798–1859)
Oil on mahogany panel
H 34.2 x W 26.1 cm
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
The Recruiting Party 1822
Edward Villiers Rippingille (1798–1859)
Oil on mahogony panel
H 83.4 x W 135.9 cm
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
Samuel Colman (1780–1845)
Oil on panel
H 87.6 x W 133.9 cm
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
The Cloak-Room, Clifton Assembly Rooms 1818
Rolinda Sharples (1793–1838)
Oil on canvas
H 73 x W 88.2 cm
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
Princess Caraboo 1817
Edward Bird (1772–1819)
Oil on panel
H 38.1 x W 30.5 cm
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
View on the Avon at Hotwells c.1840
Samuel Jackson (1794–1869)
Oil on canvas
H 62.9 x W 101.6 cm
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
The Ceremony of Laying the Foundation Stone of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, 1836 1837
Samuel Colman (1780–1845)
Oil on canvas
H 86 x W 128 cm
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
Clifton Rocks from Rownham Fields c.1821
Francis Danby (1793–1861)
Oil on panel
H 40 x W 50.8 cm
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
The Nut Gatherers 1827
James Johnson (1803–1834)
Oil on mahogany panel
H 40.3 x W 50.8 cm
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
View of Bristol Cathedral 1835
William James Müller (1812–1845)
Oil on canvas
H 75.2 x W 135.6 cm
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
Bristol Riots: The Burning of the Bishop's Palace c.1831
William James Müller (1812–1845)
Oil on paper
H 8.8 x W 17.6 cm
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
William James Müller (1812–1845)
Oil on panel
H 62.2 x W 74.9 cm
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
Sunset at Sea after a Storm 1824
Francis Danby (1793–1861)
Oil on canvas
H 89.6 x W 142.9 cm
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
The Israelites Passing through the Wilderness, Preceded by the Pillar of Light 1845
William West (b.c.1793–1861)
Oil on canvas
H 111.7 x W 167.6 cm
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
The Artist and Her Mother 1816
Rolinda Sharples (1793–1838)
Oil on panel
H 36.8 x W 29.2 cm
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
