FDA-D.1775-2025

Object number

FDA-D.1775-2025

Object type

Drawing

Title

Statuette of St Francis, Garden of Jourdelay’s, Eton
Statuette of St Francis, Garden of Jourdelay’s
St Francis Statue in a Garden

Title Type

assigned by cataloguer
Previous title
Previous title

Description

Painted view of a statuette mounted to the wall of a garden, surrounded by flowers

Comments

Although best known for her watercolours of Eton buildings, Davison also painted the gardens and grounds of Eton. This statuette in Jourdelay’s garden was surrounded by a colourful arrangement of flowers. Flowers were considered a subject particularly appropriate for women painters and Davison exhibited a Study of Water Lilies (1880; Dudley Gallery, London) early in her career. She later turned to marine and architectural subjects, traditionally associated with male artists.
The statuette of St Francis remains in the garden today. Although it is unclear how it arrived there, it is likely to have been a gift to the house by an old boy or former House Master.

Dimensions

height (actual size): 330mm
width (actual size): 210mm

Inscription

Signed in watercolour, lower left: 'NORA DAVISON'

Material

pencil
watercolour
paper

Materials & techniques note

Pencil and watercolour on paper

Person

Davison, Nora, 1855 - 1950 (Artist)

Date

1913-1950

Object history note

Provenance: With Rountree Tryon Galleries, Petworth; from whom purchased by Eton College on 8 February 2025

Exhibited: ‘A Woman’s View: Nora Davison’s watercolours of Eton’, Verey Gallery, Eton College, 23 May to 28 September 2025 (catalogue number 36)