FDA-D.1746-2024
Parts
Object number
FDA-D.1746-2024
Object type
Identification
Title
A.E. Conybeare’s House, Eton
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Description
Painted view of a large house with figures in the foreground
Comments
The title of this watercolour refers to Alfred Edward Conybeare (1875–1952), an Eton master for over 50 years and later ViceProvost of the College. He served as House
Master in the boarding house now known as Durnford House from 1910 to 1920. In the past, most boys at the College lodged in independently-run boarding houses.
Durnford and its neighbour Hawtrey House were completed in 1845, and were among the first boarding houses commissioned directly by Eton College.
Davison’s painting was probably purchased from the artist herself by Sir Victor M.R. Goodman (1899–1967), as a reminder of his time in Durnford as a boy (1912–17).
It was later gifted to the College by Goodman’s son.
'A.E. Conybeare’s House' is now known as Durnford House and remains an Eton boarding house.
Master in the boarding house now known as Durnford House from 1910 to 1920. In the past, most boys at the College lodged in independently-run boarding houses.
Durnford and its neighbour Hawtrey House were completed in 1845, and were among the first boarding houses commissioned directly by Eton College.
Davison’s painting was probably purchased from the artist herself by Sir Victor M.R. Goodman (1899–1967), as a reminder of his time in Durnford as a boy (1912–17).
It was later gifted to the College by Goodman’s son.
'A.E. Conybeare’s House' is now known as Durnford House and remains an Eton boarding house.
Description
Dimensions
height (actual size): 224mm
weight (actual size): 165mm
weight (actual size): 165mm
Inscription
Inscribed in pencil on verso: 'White Cutout / 4 1/2 margin top + bottom / 4'' at sides. / Glass + white binding / 16 5/8 x 14 5/8 / Kemp / Mr Coneybeare's House, Eton / College c.1918. / Sir Victor M. R. Goodman was / Captain of the House and in Pop. etc.'
Materials & techniques note
Pencil and watercolour on paper, mounted on card
Production
Person
Davison, Nora, 1855 - 1950 (Artist)
Date
1913-1917
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Probably purchased by V.M.R. Goodman (AEC, 1912-1917), as a momento of his time at Eton College; by descent to his son, Adrian Martin Goodman (b. 1933; OVO, 1946–51); by whom presented to Eton College in December 2023
Exhibited: ‘A Woman’s View: Nora Davison’s watercolours of Eton’, Verey Gallery, Eton College, 23 May to 28 September 2025 (catalogue number 7)
Exhibited: ‘A Woman’s View: Nora Davison’s watercolours of Eton’, Verey Gallery, Eton College, 23 May to 28 September 2025 (catalogue number 7)
