Harry Frier (1849-1921) was active as a painter primarily in the Taunton area from 1883.1 The vast majority of the topographic subjects he painted are easily identifiable. However, there is one that cannot be completely understood and proved challenging enough to warrant a “query” in S.D.N.Q. in March 2023. The sketch or the frame reveal no clues other than the date it was drawn, 1902. The reverse of the frame has nothing of any value written on it to help identify the location. Unfortunately the sketch has been stuck down to a piece of art board and it has not been possible to see if there is any writing on the reverse. So where is this scene of some very old houses in front of a parish church sketched by Frier?
The tower has single 3-light bell-openings that are very rare in Somerset churches, with Carhampton, Minehead, Othery, and St Decumans being the only examples. However, none of these towers match Frier’s depiction. Does this suggest that Frier could have been less than accurate with this sketch?2 There are eight similar designs of towers in Somerset but none of these are exactly the same as the one in the sketch;3 this similarity suggests this sketch has its origin in the county where Frier lived and worked.4 The only other Somerset church that is similar to this is Norton Fitzwarren, but the tower is not the same, and neither are there any buildings situated that closely to the church. Frier is known to have recorded scenes at Norton Fitzwarren in 1893, 18995 and 19106 so he was familiar with the village. Other experts suggest the tower is a series of demi-octagonal buttresses, which is a Dorset characteristic, such as that at Cerne Abbas and others.7 However, another expert suggests it is not Dorset but like rather Sussex-like (or Kent-like) about the cottages, or perhaps the eastern part of Hampshire.8 Another suggests it is not a Devon tower but more similar to towers found in the south east of England.9
A piece of good fortune (for this author) occurred around half a century ago when S.D.N.Q.’s current chairman, Dr Robert Dunning, visited Norton Court, in Norton Fitzwarren. Commenting on the sketch by Frier shown to him in 2021 Dr Dunning noticed:
The house, Norton Court, was evidently rebuilt, or at least re-fronted, preserving the medieval layout. The present entrance passage, with at least one medieval archway hidden by plaster, indicates the hall depicted in the drawing opposite the kitchen with the enormous gable chimney. So the house as depicted ‘fits’ with what remains of an early period inside the Court; but how much artistic licence and how much found in some earlier picture is a matter of debate.10
However, the question of Frier’s artistic licence is discussed below.
Frier is known to have copied much older paintings, both landscapes scenes as well as portraits. Examples of this include Fingle Bridge over the River Teign by Jolier, Wroxham Broad (Norfolk) from a postcard, Sugar Loaf Inn (Taunton) from a photograph dated 1865, the Franciscan Convent in Taunton before 1810, Taunton Canal in 1854, a scene outside the Winchester Arms (Taunton) in 1840, the Assize Fair in Taunton in 1854, a print of Bridgwater bridge published in 1790, Taunton Grammar School after an old print,11 as well as, possibly, a view of Tone Bridge (Taunton) in 1808.12
Thus in 2023 I hypothesized that it could be a copy of a much earlier painting, which some of the people’s clothes appears to suggest. But is the scene at Norton Fitzwarren, or a fanciful scene sketched by Frier 120 years ago using his artistic licence, or a copy of a painting or sketch that is not in the public domain? If it is Norton Fitzwarren the orientation of the house in relation to the church is wholly incorrect, but artistic licence may account for the fanciful depiction of what was once a fine mansion house.
Thanks to Google Lens it was possible to identify the painting as a watercolour of Stoke-by-Nayland, in Suffolk, by FB Russell (1813-1869).
1. M. Jones, Harry Frier’s Taunton (Taunton, 2002), 20.
2. Ex inf Julian Orbach, May 2021..
3. Ex inf Sue Berry. The towers are Brompton Ralph, Chard, Henstridge, Minehead, Nynehead, Preston Plucknett, West Quantoxhead and Wilton.
4. Jones, Harry Frier’s Taunton.
5. S.H.C., A/DQO/404/46/16 Catalogue of an exhibition of works by Harry Frier, Taunton, 5-16 October 1992.
6. S.H.C., DD/X/WBB/285 Catalogue of an exhibition of works by Harry Frier, Taunton, 25 May-11 June 1962.
7. Ex inf Jerry Sampson, May 2021.
8. Ex inf Mike Hill, May 2021.
9. Ex inf Jo Cox, May 2021.
10. Ex inf Dr R.W. Dunning, May 2021. The rear of the house still retains some very visible elements of 16th and 17th century features.
11. Jones, Harry Frier’s Taunton, 27, 39, 72-3, 105, 120, 136-8.
12. Greenslade Taylor Hunt auction 21 March 2021 lot 254.
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