🖌️ About the Artist – William Edward Croxford (1851/1852–1926)
William
Edward Croxford was a distinguished British watercolour and marine painter,
highly regarded for his coastal and harbour scenes. Born in Brentford,
Middlesex (c.1851/1852), he studied art during the early 1870s, and by 1875 is
known to have worked in Scheveningen, Holland, honing his skills in marine
subject matter.
He
exhibited regularly in the principal London art institutions of his time,
including the Royal Academy (RA), the Royal Society of British Artists
(RBA), the Royal Institute (RI), and the Fine Art Society. He also
established a significant presence in Cornwall: by 1894 he had moved to
Newquay, founding a studio and gallery in Bank Street, and producing many works
of the Cornish coastline and maritime life.
Croxford’s
works are sometimes associated with the Newlyn School influence, thanks
to his relocation to Cornwall and the coastal subjects he embraced, though his
style and personality maintained a distinct identity. His daughter, Grace
Butterworth (née Croxford), became an accomplished miniature painter,
indicating an artistic legacy in the family.
His paintings are prized for their technical precision, atmospheric depth, and sensitive handling of light and marine elements—representing an era when artists balanced topographical fidelity and aesthetic mood. Today, Croxford’s works are collected for their authenticity, coastal charm, and high quality of execution, particularly those with strong provenance and exhibition history.
🖼️ Item Description
This is a stunning original watercolour by celebrated British marine artist William Edward Croxford (1851–1926), renowned for his intricate and atmospheric coastal scenes.
Dated 1896 and signed lower left, the painting likely depicts a Cornish shoreline, showcasing Croxford’s mastery of light, colour, and natural movement. A true highlight of late 19th-century British watercolour painting, it combines technical skill with atmospheric beauty.
Adding to its historic value, the verso bears the original Frost & Reed gallery label (dated 11.12.1958). Established in 1881, Frost & Reed are among Britain’s most prestigious art dealers, further underlining the quality and provenance of this piece.
✔️ Signed & dated (1896) by the artist, lower left
✔️ Original Frost & Reed gallery label verso (1958)
✔️ Original period frame – well preserved for its age
✔️ A superb example of Victorian marine art
🔑 Key Details
• Artist: William Edward Croxford (1851–1926)
• Title: Coastal Scene (probably Cornwall)
• Medium: Watercolour on Paper
• Date: 1896 – signed & dated lower left
• Dimensions (Unframed): 48.5 cm (H) × 76 cm (W)
• Dimensions (Framed): 56 cm (H) × 87 cm (W)
• Framing: Original period frame under glass
• Provenance: Frost & Reed gallery label on verso (dated 11.12.1958)
• Signed: ✅ Yes – lower left
• Condition: Very good – vibrant colours, no fading or visible damage; frame shows only minor wear consistent with age
🖼️ Condition
• Painting: Excellent – vibrant with no visible damage or fading
• Frame: Original period frame with light, age-appropriate wear
• Glass: Intact and clear
📸 Please see all photos for a detailed condition report or request high-resolution images.
🎨 Themes & Style
📚 Themes
• Cornish coastal landscape
• Victorian-era maritime art
• Seaside heritage & rural Britain
• Light, weather & atmosphere
🎯 Subjects
• Rugged coastline (probably Cornwall)
• Maritime landscape
• Victorian seascape tradition
🖌️ Styles
• 19th-Century British Marine Art
• Atmospheric Watercolour
• Naturalistic Realism
• Late Victorian Landscape
📦 Shipping & Packaging
• 📦 Professionally packaged with protective materials
• 🚚 Fully insured & tracked worldwide delivery available
• 🏡 In-person collection available on request
💰 Price & Offers
💬 Open to reasonable offers – message to discuss or request further details.
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🎯 Perfect For Collectors Of:
• William Edward Croxford artworks
• British 19th-century watercolours
• Victorian marine & seascape art
• Provenanced works (Frost & Reed)
• Collectible signed landscapes
📌 Availability Notice
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