Vintage Original Gouache Painting – "Evening, Bideford" – Victor Papworth (1921–1987) – Signed & Dated 1969
Over the coming months, I'll be having a huge clear out of items gathered over many years. The contents of my shed, attic and storage spaces all have to go. Once they are gone, they are gone.
A charming original gouache painting by noted Devon artist Victor Papworth, depicting "Evening, Bideford" beneath a vibrant sunset sky. The work is signed and dated 1969 by the artist and is also titled in pencil on the sheet.
Painted in gouache on artist's paper, this small but striking composition captures the distinctive skyline of Bideford in North Devon, silhouetted against a dramatic evening sky of warm oranges, reds and golds. Papworth's confident handling of colour and atmosphere is clearly evident, creating a lively and expressive impression of the town at dusk.
Victor Papworth embarked on numerous sketching and painting tours throughout Britain during the 1960s and 1970s, documenting the landscapes, towns, villages and coastal scenes that inspired him. At a time when overseas travel was becoming increasingly popular, Papworth found enduring beauty in the British Isles, recording the mountains, lakes, fells, dales and valleys of Yorkshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Scotland and Wales, alongside the villages, harbours, churches and castles of Devon and Cornwall. Working primarily in gouache and pastel, he created vigorous, expressive and colourful works that celebrated the changing moods, seasons and weather of the British landscape.
This painting forms part of a larger series of works by Papworth. Please see my other listings for additional examples from this collection.
The painting is supplied unframed, allowing the buyer to choose a frame and mount to suit their own décor. The generous margins around the painted image make it suitable for a variety of framing options and provide flexibility when selecting a frame size.
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The painting is in very good vintage condition. It has never been framed or displayed and has instead been carefully stored in an album since it was created, as originally intended by the artist himself. Having been kept away from direct light and environmental exposure, the colours remain bright, fresh and vibrant. There may be very minor signs of age or handling consistent with a work on paper from this period, but overall it presents exceptionally well. Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the description.
A beautiful and highly decorative original work by a respected Devon artist, ideal for collectors of British landscape art, Devon scenes, Bideford memorabilia, or mid-century works on paper.