FDA-D.209-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-D.209-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
The Fourth of June: Procession of Boats Below Windsor Castle
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Comments
An engraving was made from this painting 27th April 1837 by C.Lewis, helping date this picture to the middle of the 1830's , and ensuring that it became one of his best known compositions. Another version of the subject, formerly at Brockly Hall, is now at Angelsey Abbey. The pageantry of this scene when the school's best oarsmen row in triumphant formation has survived to be one of the highlights of the celbration of the 'Fourth of June' to this day.
Eton boys are seen rowing on the river Thames below Windsor Castle. All around are boats crowded with cheering onlookers and throngs of spectators on the riverbanks. This impressive watercolour shows the Procession of Boats (also at times called the Fourth of June Regatta) that continues to be the highlight of Eton’s Fourth of June celebrations today. The work was painted in the 1830s by William Evans, the second and best-known member of the Evans family to serve as Drawing Master at Eton College. Four generations of his family would hold the post successively over a period of more than 100 years.
An aquatint print of this scene, engraved by Charles Lewis (1808-1880) and published in April 1837, has made this one of the most recognised works by Evans. There is also a watercolour sketch for the composition in the Eton College Collections.
Eton boys are seen rowing on the river Thames below Windsor Castle. All around are boats crowded with cheering onlookers and throngs of spectators on the riverbanks. This impressive watercolour shows the Procession of Boats (also at times called the Fourth of June Regatta) that continues to be the highlight of Eton’s Fourth of June celebrations today. The work was painted in the 1830s by William Evans, the second and best-known member of the Evans family to serve as Drawing Master at Eton College. Four generations of his family would hold the post successively over a period of more than 100 years.
An aquatint print of this scene, engraved by Charles Lewis (1808-1880) and published in April 1837, has made this one of the most recognised works by Evans. There is also a watercolour sketch for the composition in the Eton College Collections.
Other number
CL 218
Description
Content (place)
Windsor Castle
Dimensions
height (sight size): 637mm
width (sight size): 885mm
height (actual size): 660mm
width (actual size): 910mm
height (frame): 760mm
width (frame): 1012mm
depth (frame): 42mm
width (sight size): 885mm
height (actual size): 660mm
width (actual size): 910mm
height (frame): 760mm
width (frame): 1012mm
depth (frame): 42mm
Materials & techniques note
Watercolour and bodycolour over pencil on paper
Physical description
Modern gilt frame
Production
Person
Evans, William, 1798 - 1877 (Artist)
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Collection of Miss Nancy Radcliffe Platt; by whom presented to Eton College in memory of the donor's brother, John Roodhurst Platt (Captain of the Oppidans in 1909), in 1975
Exhibited: 'William Evans of Eton', Brewhouse Gallery, Eton College, 1998, catalogue no.33
Exhibited: 'William Evans of Eton', Brewhouse Gallery, Eton College, 1998, catalogue no.33
References
• Connor, L.M., William Evans of Eton 1798-1877, exhibition catalogue, Brewhouse, Eton 1998 (p.52, illustrated p.11)
