FDA-D.1612-2020
Parts
Object number
FDA-D.1612-2020
Object type
Identification
Title
Penn House, Eton
Penn House, Common Lane, Eton
Penn House, Common Lane, Eton
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Previous title
Previous title
Comments
Penn House is named after the Penn family of Stoke Poges, who once owned the land on which it was built. This painting was given to the College by Francis Gladstone. His father Charles A. Gladstone (1888–1968) was House Master of Penn House from 1925 to 1943. On the back of the frame, Charles Gladstone inscribed the names of the four boys seen in the painting: Robert Langdale Bickersteth (1908–1944), Viscount Tiverton (1908–2000), Glodrydd Jenkins (1907–1930) and ‘Ginger’ Barton, probably John G. Hope Barton (1908–1956). This detail makes it likely that Gladstone bought the watercolour directly from Davison and may even have watched her paint it.
Description
Dimensions
height (actual size): 342mm
width (actual size): 466mm
height (sight size): 298mm
width (sight size): 408mm
width (actual size): 466mm
height (sight size): 298mm
width (sight size): 408mm
Materials & techniques note
Watercolour and pencil
Production
Person
Davison, Nora, 1855 - 1950 (Artist)
Date
1920-1927
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Collection of Sir C.A. Gladstone (1888–1968); by descent to J.F. Gladstone (b. 1941; BJWH, 1954–59); from whom purchased by Eton College January 2020
Exhibited: ‘A Woman’s View: Nora Davison’s watercolours of Eton’, Verey Gallery, Eton College, 23 May to 28 September 2025 (catalogue number 13)
Exhibited: ‘A Woman’s View: Nora Davison’s watercolours of Eton’, Verey Gallery, Eton College, 23 May to 28 September 2025 (catalogue number 13)
