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Alexander J. Heaney

1876 - 1936

Cabot Café, College Green, Bristol by Alexander J. Heaney
 

Cabot Café, College Green, Bristol  

  Original etching.
Signed in pencil.
S 430 x 317 mm; P & I 352 x 238 mm
SOLD
 
Excellent signed proof impression with strong line; printed by the artist.

In this etching Alexander Heaney has depicted the Cabot Café at No.38 College Green, Bristol, in its heyday when it was considered to be one of the most chic Arts and Crafts (Art Nouveau) restaurants in the city. Built in 1904 for an estate agent, Walter Hughes, to the design of Latrobe & Weston, architects well known for their cinemas. Above the word ‘Café’ can just be seen the Pomegranate mosaic with enamel insets by the client's daughter, Catherine Hughes, taken from Charles Rickett's bookbinding for Oscar Wilde's A House of Pomegranates, 1891. The café was unfortunately damaged in World War II and a modern frontage has spoiled the look from street level. Much of the original structure has been lost but the staircase, fireplaces, some ornate decoration and some panelling remain. Its wall paintings, which depicted the life of explorer John Cabot, were painted by local artist William Arthur Chase (1878-1944). It is now offices owned by the council though it remains a grade II listed building.

On cream wove paper with margins. Mottled brown staining to sheet, mild mat line in margins, otherwise good original condition. Image surface good.

Provenance: From the collection of Phyllis Heaney, the artist’s daughter – thence by descent to her granddaughter.