A_U_CT ION COUP FOR MUSEUM
t ‘A view of Canlerlziiry [mm SI Stephens, l8l9' by James Pardon of Canterbury
A fine view of Canterbury painted in I8 I 9 has been secured for the city's museums
with the help of a top London dealer and a national grant.
The oil painting, by Canterbury artist lames
PP ‘on (I794-I862). was exhibited at The
R I Academy in I819 and shows the city
from St Stephen's. Recorded in the’ mid-
distance are the cathedral, Abbot's mill
(which was destroyed by fire in I933) and St
Augustine's Abbey.
Pardon lived at 5| St.Peter's Street.
Canterbury where he practised as a portrait
and animal painter. and his work would have
been seen by the young Thomas Sidney
Cooper (later to become Britain's leading
cattle painter) who lived injthe same street.
Landscapes by lamles Pardon are
extremely rare and the painting is an
importantacquisition for the city's museums.
ltwasspottedin a sale of l§_ritish Paintings at
Sotheby's and prompt action by the Curator,
Mr Ken Reedie, won the support of a
Government grant from painting experts at
the Victoria and Albert Museum. London art
dealer. Richard Green. kindly agreed to help
by bidding at the sale, and to the museum's
delight he was able to secure the picture
below the price of Sothebys estimate. The
painting can be seen at Canterbury Heritage.
 " ” Ahmeiwalk n1£1seLr:1\_t§ftlw7;ity'sstbry  
51 10% discount for groiupibookings 5;
over 10 people. ".-2(0227) 452747
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FRENCH ARTISTS
WORK PURCHASED
Canterbury's Royal Museum 8 Art Gallery has
won grant-aid from a Government fund to
acquire a fine portrait of local interest by one of
the leading painters of the I8th century.
It is of Sir Thomas Hales of the Bekesbourne
branch of a well—known Kent family — which is
remembered also in Canterbury at Hales Place
where a great, house stood until earlier this
century.
Sir Thomas lived at Bekesbourne in the family
house at Howletts, now demolished. and died
there in I762. He was born in I694 and
succeeded his father — Member of Parliament
for Canterbury - as 3rd baronet in I748.
The oil painting was discovered by the City's
Curator. Mr Ken Reedie, and purchased from a
London gallery with a grant he obtained from
the National Purchase Fund administered by
the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The artist is lean Baptiste Van Loo. a
Frenchman of Flemish descent. who came to
London for the years I737--I742 when he
worked with great success. His patron, the
Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, introduced
him to the Prince and Princess of Wales Irom
whom he received commissions to paint their
portraits and those of other members of the
household.