Pre-Raphaelite History Paintings

William Bell Scott’s most significant patron was Pauline, Lady Trevelyan (1816-1866).  Pauline Trevelyan and her husband, Sir Walter Calverley Trevelyan (1797-1879), commissioned Scott to paint a series of historical paintings for their home, Wallington Hall, in the village of Cambo in Northumberland, 20 miles northwest of Newcastle.  From 1856 to 1861, Scott painted a series of eight historical paintings about the history of the English-Scottish border region.  Today Wallington is a National Trust property.

Scott’s paintings at Wallington, in historical sequence, are:

1.  Building the Roman Wall (1857)

The Romans cause a Wall to be built for the Protection of the South (One of a series of eight oil paintings illustrating the history of the English Border) by William Bell Scott (Edinburgh 1811 - Penkill Castle 1890)

Oil on canvas, 73 x 73 inches.  Source:  National Trust, Wallington Hall

2.  St. Cuthbert (1856)

King Egfrid and Bishop Trumwine persuade Cuthbert to be made Bishop (One of a series of eight oil paintings illustrating the history of the English Border)by William Bell Scott (Edinburgh 1811 - Penkill Castle 1890)

Oil on canvas, 73 x 73 inches.  Source:  National Trust, Wallington Hall

3.  Death of the Venerable Bede (1857)

Bede finishes his Works and Life (One of a series of eight oil paintings illustrating the history of the English Border)by William Bell Scott (Edinburgh 1811 - Penkill Castle 1890)

Oil on canvas, 73 x 73 inches.  Source:  National Trust, Wallington Hall

4.  The Descent of the Danes (1858)

The Danes descend upon the Coast and at last possess Northumberland (One of a series of eight oil paintings illustrating the history of the English Border) by William Bell Scott (Edinburgh 1811 - Penkill Castle 1890)

Oil on canvas, 73 x 73 inches.  Source:  National Trust, Wallington Hall

5.  The Spur in the Dish (1858)

The Spur in the Dish warns the Border Chief that the Larder needs replenishing (One of a series of eight paintings illustrating the history of the English Border) by William Bell Scott (Edinburgh 1811 - Penkill Castle 1890)

Oil on canvas, 73 x 73 inches.  Source:  National Trust, Wallington Hall

6.  Bernard Gilpin (1859)

Bernard Gilpin making Peace among the Borders, takes down the Glove in Rothbury Church, circa 1570 (One of a series of eight oil paintings illustrating the history of the English Border) by William Bell Scott (Edinburgh 1811 - Penkill Castle 1890)

Oil on canvas, 73 x 73 inches.  Source:  National Trust, Wallington Hall

7.  Grace Darling (1860)

Grace Darling (1815-1842) and her father William Darling (d.1865) save the Survivors from the Wreck of the Steamer 'Forfarshire' on the Farne Rocks, 7th September 1838 (One of a series of eight oil paintings illustrating the history of the English Border)

Oil on canvas, 73 x 73 inches.  Source:  National Trust, Wallington Hall

8.  Iron and Coal (1861)

In the Nineteenth Century the Northumbrians show the World what can be done with Iron and Coal by William Bell Scott (Edinburgh 1811 - Penkill Castle 1890)

Oil on canvas, 73 x 73 inches.  Source:  National Trust, Wallington Hall

The text of this website is copyright © Antony Ryan 2019.