Lytham Mill 1916
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Research by Marjorie Gregson
Acc No 167
Artist Harold Partington Artist dates 1852-1928 Medium watercolour Size 61 x 38.1 cm (24 x 15 in) Date painted 1916 Donor Thomas Alfred Clarke1886-1979 70 Glen Eldon Road, Lytham St Annes Date donated 14 April 1959 Other works in the Collection: Acc No 123 Interior of a Chapel, Cartmel Priory Acc No 272 Saltcoats Farm, 1917 |
DONOR
Thomas Alfred Clarke was born in Manchester in 1886 to Samuel Thomas Clarke, a traveller in provisions, and his wife, Elizabeth Ann. Whilst he was still very young the family moved to St Annes on Sea where Thomas’s mother and his sister, Elsie Livesley Clarke, managed a laundry. His other sister, Dorothy Lloyd Clarke, was a milliner and his brother, Stanley Hugh Clarke, was a musician and teacher. Thomas ran a small art shop in Lytham and during the war he and his family gave lectures with musical accompaniment which entertained the troops while they waited to be shipped to France. Lytham St Anne’s Art Society owes its existence to a chance meeting between Thomas and James Terry. Together with professional artist, Walter Eastwood, they had the first committee meeting in Walter’s studio in the Market Square. Walter was voted its first President and Thomas its Secretary. They were the mainstays of the early Society which held its first exhibition in the Market Hall, Lytham in March 1913. Thomas held the position of President in 1923/25 and 1936/38.
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Thomas Alfred Clarke is on the back row wearing spectacles.
Clarke advocated that, “Painters today should try to retain in their work the heritage of the countryside and all places by making them their favourite subjects.” - Lancashire Daily Post, 10 June 1937
That same paper, commenting on the Society’s 22nd Annual Exhibition, wrote, “Mr. T. A. Clarke of St. Anne’s has found in a well-known side street, inspiration for two vivid outdoor scenes, Local By-Way and The Corner Shop". - Lancashire Daily Post, 13 June 1939
Clarke advocated that, “Painters today should try to retain in their work the heritage of the countryside and all places by making them their favourite subjects.” - Lancashire Daily Post, 10 June 1937
That same paper, commenting on the Society’s 22nd Annual Exhibition, wrote, “Mr. T. A. Clarke of St. Anne’s has found in a well-known side street, inspiration for two vivid outdoor scenes, Local By-Way and The Corner Shop". - Lancashire Daily Post, 13 June 1939
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A man of many talents he wrote and illustrated Lytham –A Short History in 1951 and a book about the artist, Richard Ansdell.
He also lettered the Ansdell Institute’s War Memorial which Harold Partington carved in oak. It was presented by the Lytham St Annes Art Society to the Institute in 1924. The opening ceremony was performed by Mrs J Talbot Clifton, Lady of the Manor of Lytham. At this meeting, presided over by Thomas, he commented that the development of art in the district was handicapped by the lack of an art gallery and he hoped the Town Council would help to remedy this. - Lancashire Daily Post, 30 June 1924 |
