Bristol Museum & Art Gallery has recently acquired this View of the Avon Gorge and Bristol from Leigh Woods by John Scandrett Harford the Younger, 1787 – 1866. Those familiar with Bristol School painting may be somewhat accustomed to monumental views of the Avon Gorge landscape. The collection boasts a wonderful array of such views by artists such as Francis Danby, Samuel Jackson, and Joseph Mallord William Turner.
What distinguishes this depiction of that subject is the maker himself. John Scandrett Harford was a banker by trade rather than a professional artist. Harford belonged to an affluent Quaker family who occupied Blaise Castle Estate. He was a partner in the local bank Miles, Harford, Battersby and Bayly of Corn Street, also acting as High Sheriff for Cardiganshire, (1825 – 26), Company Director of the Great Western Railway and owner of the Harford & Bristol Brass Co.
As well as an influential merchant, Harford was a significant figure in the cultural development of Bristol in the early nineteenth century. He was a founding member of the Museum’s forerunner, the Bristol Institution on Park Street (opened 1823). While active in the Bristol Institution, Harford contributed predominately to their Sub-Committee for the Fine Arts. He was instrumental in organising the Exhibitions of Pictures, having personally loaned more than 20 paintings to their 1820s exhibitions. Interestingly, following the construction of the Bristol Institution building in the early 1820s, Harford hired the Institution’s architect, Charles Robert Cockerell 1788 – 1863, to extend Blaise Castle by adding a Picture Gallery to the existing Neoclassical structure.
As well as a wealthy merchant, Harford was an amateur artist, a writer, and an aficionado of the Italian High Renaissance. His publications include a Life of Michel Angelo Buonarroti in two volumes (1857) and Recollections of the life of William Wilberforce (1862) having been a close friend of both Wilberforce and Hannah More.
During his time with the Bristol Institution, Harford was particularly devoted to encouraging opportunities for local artists. He was instrumental in organizing free season tickets to the exhibitions for artists from both Bristol and Bath and granting them permission to study from the Old Master paintings. He went on to co-found and lead activities at the Royal West of England Academy from December 1844 onwards.
The View of the Avon and Bristol from Leigh Woods demonstrates Harford’s own artistic talents. His lifelong leadership in fostering opportunities and engagement with the visual arts are illustrated by this rather accomplished watercolour, which formed an integral part of our bicentenary exhibition ‘Opulent Origins: 200 Years of Displaying Fine Art’. The collection boasts two more Harford watercolours and is certainly enriched by the material legacy of this most fascinating man and amateur artist.
The acquisition was made possible through the ACE/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and the most generous support of the Friends.
Emma Meehan, Curatorial Trainee, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.