E A Phipson - "Amwell 1901"

Social History (Museum of St Albans)

1982.2006

Watercolour painting of Two houses and a foot bridge over the New River at Amwell (Also known as Great Amwell), Hertfordshire. Dated 1901. The New River starts at Amwell near Ware and runs through to Islington. It is in fact an artificial channel which took fresh water from Chadwell Spring and Amwell Spring to London. It was built by Sir Hugh Myddelton, a Welsh businessman, engineer and goldsmith, over 4 years, starting in 1609. One of England's most prolific landscape watercolourists, Phipson was christened Edward Arthur, however as a young man he developed a keen interest in languages which led him to change his name to the Greek Word Evacustes meaning 'ready listener'. His paintings represent an idealised image of a time of great change. He omitted the lamp posts, telegraph poles and motor cars that spoilt a good view. The museum under the direction of Frederick Kitton purchased a large collection of his Hertfordshire watercolours between 1900 and 1910 whilst he was living in London.

1901

PX 3058 82-2006.tif

CD_283

Amy Cooke

3) MoStA Archive Room

Great Amwell (near Ware), Hertfordshire, UK.

PWD Box 73

Picturesque St. Albans

05/05/2005