Yesterday, June 13th, Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Dame Sarah Troughton, declared The Merchant’s House exhibition of George Maton’s Victorian paintings of Marlborough officially open. The paintings provide a unique snapshot of 19th century everyday life in Marlborough and, thanks to a list found on the reverse of one painting of The Green, reveal the names and occupations of the people depicted. The Town Crier held a very important role as he appears in nearly every painting.
Seven of the paintings have been loaned by the Town Council and show The Green from many angles as well as an early picture of the Town Hall with two pointed towers and an open area on the ground floor. There are paintings of Aldbourne and two paintings that have been acquired by The Merchant House which are badly in need of restoration. It is hoped that the exhibition will help to raise the necessary funds.
Dame Sarah Troughton commented, “It’s exciting to have an exhibition of a local artist who has produced sensitive and sophisticated paintings. Perhaps this exhibition will launch something of a treasure hunt to find more Maton paintings that might be lurking in local cellars.”
Little is known about George Maton although an article in The Marlborough Times 1904 reveals some details of his life. He may have been a sign painter for shops and inns and it’s possible that his many paintings of Marlborough were perhaps commissions made by Marlborough residents who wanted a painting of their home in its setting to display. Sadly, George Maton suffered from frequent bouts of mental illness which led to him spending time in Devizes Roundway Hospital, known at the time as a lunatic asylum. It’s likely that he suffered from bipolar disorder with periods of mania.
Alison Galvin-Wright, Chair of The Merchant’s House Trust, said, “Maton’s paintings are Lowryesque and show ordinary townsfolk going about their daily lives. The exhibition runs for two weeks so we hope people will visit it. We want to find out more about George Maton and I’m hoping that other people locally might have a Maton. Do get in touch if you do.”
The exhibition runs from Saturday 14th June – Saturday 28th June 2025 and is
open daily from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am – 4pm (last entry at 3pm).
Tickets are £8 per adult for the Exhibition or House & Exhibition £15
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