Two are now held by The Merchant’s House. Recently restored, to be hung in The Merchant’s House.
They were purchased from the estate of a (former) Marlborough Arts and Antiques dealer, Nigel Cracknell who emigrated to Canada some years ago. Following his death his estate in Regina, Saskatchewan offered the paintings back to the Merchant’s House and this offer was taken up. They weren’t in perfect condition so have undegone a programme of professional restoration and re-framing.
Interesting to see the back of one of the paintings – that looking East:
This note does appear to date this painting – 1840. Was it penned and affixed by Maton? Quite likely as it seems to give detail as to those featured. ‘John Dann(?) – Town Crier’ and others, and without being familiar with the writing style, others are mentioned. The construction being set up on The Green would indicate that this was painted at a similar point to that of The Green – East-1 which is hanging in the Town Hall. And many similarities between these two paintings.
His characters are almost ‘Emoji like’, in so far that he seems to have a pool of characters – probably all known to him as the note above indicates – whom he adds to his paintings in places and ways that he feels are right.
