The Collection of Vice Admiral Sir Godfrey Milton-Thompson

A group of landscapes by Norwich School artists will be sold in our Fine Interiors auction next week. The paintings belonged to the collection of Surgeon Vice Admiral Sir Godfrey Milton-Thompson (1930-2012), featuring artists such as John Crome, John Sell Cotman, James Stark, Robert Ladbrooke and George Vincent. Here we provide a sneak preview into the collection and discuss the works' intriguing provenance.


 

A group of landscapes by Norwich School artists will be sold in our Fine Interiors auction this month. Pictures by John Crome, John Sell Cotman, James Stark, Robert Ladbrooke and George Vincent, all from the collection of Surgeon Vice Admiral Sir Godfrey Milton-Thompson (1930-2012), feature in the sale on 8-9 December. 

The 43 x 35cm oil on canvas by John Sell Cotman (1782-1842) is a river landscape depicting an angler and his dog near a bridge. The piece was once part of the furnishings at Hever Castle and when shown by Thomas Agnew & Sons in a loan exhibition in 1958, it was titled 'Salmon Spearing'. The painting was bought by Sir Milton-Thompson at Christie’s in 1991. 

 

 

506606-0.jpg (2312×2688)

Lot 682
John Sell Cotman
Estimate - £2,000-3,000

 

 

Among several works by John Crome (1768-1821) is a 27 x 40cm oil on panel depicting farmhands in conversation in a tree-lined lane near Beccles, Suffolk estimated at £300-500.

Illustrated in Norman Goldberg’s biography John Crome the Elder (1978), this picture was one of more than 100 works that formed the John Crome Memorial Exhibition held in November 1821 by the Norwich Society of Artists six month after the artist died. It was picture no. 5, in the exhibition and listed as painted in 1814. Sir Godfrey bought it at Christie's South Kensington in 1985.

 

 

506627-0.jpg (2207×1407)

Lot 680
John Crome
Estimate - £300-500

 

 

A view of sun-dappled woodland at Chapelfields, Norwich painted by George Vincent (1796-1831) is another well-provenanced picture.

This 63 x 76cm oil was first recorded in the collection of railway engineer and art connoisseur James Staats Forbes in 1917 and later owned by the art historian Percy M Turner and Sir Jeremiah Colman of mustard fame who loaned it to the City of Norwich Museums. Although once thought to be by John Crome the Elder, it is now known to have been painted by Vincent – another leading spirit of the Norwich movement. 

 

 

506626-3.jpg (2190×1770)

Lot 681
George Vincent
Estimate - £1,000-1,500

 

Georgian Norwich produced more successful artists than any other similar city in England with the Norwich Society of Artists was founded by Crome and Ladbrooke in 1803. Originally regarded as modern and progressive, holding regular exhibitions for more than 30 years, by the end of the 19th century the movement was seen as championing a bygone age, its reputation blossoming again after a Royal Academy exhibition in 1878.

 

For more information about these lots please contact James Pickup 

T | 01279 817778
E | jamespickup@sworder.co.uk 

 

 

 

 


 

Recent News

 

Sacred Pages | Rare and Historic Bibles Up for Auction

A remarkable collection of 177 lots of rare and historic Bibles feature in our timed auction of Books, Manuscripts and Maps from 17-27 April, offering collectors, scholars and history enthusiasts a unique opportunity to own some of the most significant early English translations of the Holy Scriptures. The collection showcases centuries-old editions that played a pivotal role in shaping religious thought, language and culture.

15 April 2025

A Fish Tale

Ahead of his upcoming ‘retirement sale’ on 13–14 May, we caught up with the ever-charismatic Paul Atkinson to uncover some of the captivating stories behind the lots on offer.

11 April 2025

Shifting Silhouettes | 19th Century Fashion

With styles and silhouettes endlessly evolving during the Victorian period, the continuous advancements in fashion offered women more choice and freedom regarding their attire. Sworders are delighted to present a collection of Victorian clothing in our upcoming Jewellery, Designer Handbags & Accessories sale, taking place on Wednesday 23 April.

9 April 2025

 


 

Get Sworders News