Henry Pether was from a family of painters, who specialised in moonlit scenes; the most famous being his father, Abraham. He exhibited paintings at the Royal Academy (1828-62), Society of British Artists (1833/4, 1855) and British Institution (1865). He lived at addresses in Southampton, Greenwich, Camden Town and south London, probably moving to escape creditors. In 1837, when an inmate of a debtor’s prison, he was described as ‘Surveyor, Artist, Engineer, and Architect’. He applied for patents relating to mosaic tiles, a lamp globe and other architectural materials (1839-76). The tiles were exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851. At that time he lived in Kennington with his wife, Sarah, and children Fanny (14), Harry (10) and Kate (9).

Places

England, Walmer Castle, Deal, Kent, English Channel

Subjects

topography, seascape/coastal scene, shore, beach, wave, man, woman, child, path, gate, bollard, fortification, castle, ramp, wall, ship

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil, oil painting

Artist

Henry Pether

Title

Walmer Castle by Moonlight

Date

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 60.00 cm, width: 91.00 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Piccadilly Gallery, February 1959

Inscription

Christie's stencil on stretcher

Provenance

Purchased from Piccadilly Gallery 1959

GAC number

4885