This early 20th-century watercolour by English artist Thomas Grainger (1849-1930) depicts a ‘Meadowcroft’, a Victorian villa in West Hartlepool.
Built in 1895, Meadowcroft, now known as Meadowside, remains one of the town’s most iconic buildings. It was constructed for Matthew Rickinson, an affluent ship owner, and his family. And by the 1920s, it had passed to George Jones JP. Here, in 1929, Grainger has captured it from the South West. An inscription on the reverse reads as follows:
“Meadowcroft, the home of the late George Jones JP near the Ward Jackson Park, West Hartlepool, (original). By Thos Grainger, 9 Richard Street, West Hartlepool. Presented to Mrs Jennie Hanson by the painter in remembrance of the many kindnesses received at her hands during many years of our friendship. Oct 16th 1929. View taken from the South West.”
Born the son of a joiner/undertaker, young Grainger was initially schooled in the family trade. As the eldest boy, there was an expectation that he’d pursue the same career, picking up where his father left off. Indeed, every census throughout his life records his occupation as carpentry-related. However, his passion was for painting - capturing the world as he saw it, with pencil, sketchbook and watercolours.
His works are abundant with charm, with every branch, doorway, and roof tile carefully observed. They tend to include figures going about their lives, caught in perpetuity - farmers guide ploughs through rutted earth, mothers carry groceries along dusty village walkways. He created a window through which we glimpse at a simpler time - a slower pace of life.
But in addition to the picturesque, his works also serve as topographical references to a landscape as it was. In 1902, he produced a sketch of the Seaton Carew Lighthouse, which was demolished the same year.
Grainger’s aspirations as an artist were never destined to become a full-time profession and he struggled with financial commitments. Despite winning several local awards, he often gave his paintings to family members, cramming his sister’s hallway with 56 works. Well into his 70s, he was still sketching. This piece was produced a year before he passed.
Signed/dated lower right and held within a contemporary frame.
Learn more about Thomas Grainger in our directory.
Medium: Watercolour on paper
Overall size: 16½” x 12½” / 42cm x 32cm
Year of creation: 1929
Labels & Inscriptions: Photocopy attached to the reverse of the original inscription, which is on the paper under the frame. S.L. Nielson & Son framer’s label relating to the previous frame.
Provenance: Presumably with Mrs Jennie Hanson (c.1929).
Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator.
Our reference: BRV1545
