Description:
James and George Temple
The Old Stables, Chequers, Horley
Watercolour on paper
410mm x 780mm
Courtyard scene with stables, carriages, horses, men and hens.
The brothers James Temple (1843 – 1921) and George Temple (1847 – 1910) worked together as artists for many years. Their father, Thomas Temple (1821 – 1907) and grandfather George Temple were both born in Leamington Spa. George was a well known wood engraver and draughtsman of sporting scenes and his son Thomas was a draughtsman and painter in oil and watercolour.
James Temple spent two years rowing along the rivers and waterways from Warwickshire to London, sketching the scenes along the way. He then settled in London where he had become successful and sent for his younger brother George to join him. Their first assignment was to paint scenery and posters for Astley’s circus. In the evenings they regularly attended first the Royal College of Art and later the Royal Academy Schools.
Many of the brothers’ illustrations appeared in the Illustrated London News from about 1867 onwards. They also contributed to the first edition of the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News when it was first published in February 1874 and their illustrations were published in every issue from then on.
The rise of the camera in journalism led the brothers to concentrate more on watercolour drawings rather than illustrations. The Duke of Cambridge and the Great Eastern Railway Company were among their many patrons.