'Mary Ruddle's shop. Burbage. Wilts, 11 July 1878'

Sketch of Mary Ruddle's shop. Burbage. Wilts, 11 July 1878

William James Herschel returned home in 1878 after 25 years in the Indian civil service. That summer he went on a sketching holiday with S. E. Hardcastle. Though the picture is signed only S. E. H. another sketch in the collection [PAD3712] identifies an S. E. Hardcastle and so it seems likely that the H here refers to Hardcastle rather than Herschel. Hardcastle was the surname of William's wife. It was also William's sister Maria Sophia's married name. William James and S. E. H. often sketched the same scene, evidently sitting side by side taking in the same view. This gives us a unique opportunity to compare their ability and technique and learn something of their comparative artistic education.

Object Details

ID: PAH6048
Type: Drawing
Display location: Not on display
Creator: William James Herschel; Hardcastle, S. E.
Date made: 11 July 1878
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Herschel Collection
Measurements: Overall: 144 x 231 mm