Church Gallery

The Ringers of Launcells Tower, Frederick Smallfield (1829-1915)

Oil on canvas, English School, 1887. This painting was inspired by the poem The Ringers of Launcells Tower by Rev. R.S. Hawker of Morwenstow in his book Cornish Ballads and Other Poems'. In this poem, the bell ringers who rang at the accession of George III in 1760 were still alive to ring at his golden jubilee in 1810. The church of Launcells is midway between Stratton and Bude. The picture was painted 77 years after George III's golden jubilee and so is a total reconstruction. There is, therefore, no possibility that the figures are actual portraits of the 1810 ringers. Nevertheless, Smallfield had visited the church tower before he started the painting but made certain alterations to the layout for artistic reasons. He also studied the bell ringers at his local church in Willesden, north west London, to get the action and the angle of the ropes correct. A watercolour version of this painting was exhibited at the Watercolour Society in 1878. Frederick Smallfield studied at the Royal Academy and subsequently exhibited there several times. He lived for most of his life in London and at Lee-on-Solent in Hampshire

© RIC

View of London from Southwark, 1640-60 (oil on canvas)

CTS336302 View of London from Southwark, 1640-60 (oil on canvas) by Anglo-Dutch School, (17th century); 59.5x85.7 cm; Collection of the Duke of Devonshire, Chatsworth House, UK; (add.info.: formerly attributed to Thomas Wyck (c.1616-77); view before the fire in 1666;); © Devonshire Collection, Chatsworth; Reproduced by permission of Chatsworth Settlement Trustees; out of copyright

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Downshire Hill, Hampstead AA072760

ST JOHNS CHURCH, Downshire Hill, Hampstead, London. A street view looking north east along Downshire Hill towards the entrance front of St John's Church, a cyclist in the middle of the road and cars parked to either side. John Gay. Date range: 1960-1965

© Historic England

Car, Church, People, Religion, Road, Transport