Thomas Leeson Rowbotham (1782-1853)

Thomas Leeson Rowbotham (1782-1853)
Hilhouse’s new dock, later the Albion Dockyard, Bristol, with Clifton and Brandon Hill in the distance
Signed and dated ROWBOTHAM/1829 (lower right) and with initials TR (lower left)
Pencil and brown wash
12.3 x 17.1cm; 4¾ x 6¾in

There is another earlier version of the present watercolour, with slight differences, dated 1826, formerly in George Braikenridge’s collection and now in Bristol Art Gallery. Braikenridge’s catalogue entry carefully details the subject depicted here as ‘the large Ship outside the Dock Gates taking in her Mizzen Mast is the Middleton of London – on the right the Vessel on the Stocks is [in] Tippett’s Yard.’ In the distance is the rotunda at Goldney House, the tower of St Andrew’s parish church, Clifton and Brandon Hill with Queen’s Parade beneath.