1911

Watercolour of the Abbey before 19th century work was largely demolished. The last Earl of Craven to live in Coombe Abbey was William Craven, 4th Earl of Craven. When he died in 1921 his wife Cornelia Countess of Craven decided to sell the property. It was bought in 1923 by a Coventry builder named John Grey. Initially he held a contents sale but 18 months later held a demolition sale leading to much of the 19th century work, which was that of W E Nesfield, being lost. Great watercolour of the house and garden setting. Now a hotel. Collins was an English architectural and landscape genre painter, best known for his watercolour painting. He studied at Lambeth School of Art and then in Paris before returning to London where he began exhibiting at the Royal Academy from 1886. In 1898 he became an elected member of the Royal Institution and 1906 he was elected as a member of the Royal Academy of British Artists. He travelled widely, producing paintings around Europe, publishing a number of guides to the Cathedral Cities of Italy and Spain. Mounted in conservation grade card. Signed and dated by the artost, bottom left. Measures 37cm x 20.3cm. With mount, 47.5cm x 30.6cm.