How should I hang my watercolour?

Keep watercolours away from direct sunlight to prevent the delicate pigments from fading over time. Position them on interior walls where room temperature and humidity remain relatively stable. Ensure the frame is properly sealed behind glass to protect the paper from dust and atmospheric pollution. Professional conservation framing with UV-filtering glass offers the best long-term preservation.

Are these paintings signed by the artist?

Many works bear the artist's signature or initials, often inscribed discreetly in the lower corner within the painted composition. Signatures provide a direct link to the hand of the creator and help establish provenance. Unsigned watercolours frequently rely on stylistic attribution, period framing labels, or inscriptions on the reverse of the paper to identify the maker and subject location.

What subjects are most common?

Urban views featuring London bridges, the Houses of Parliament, and St Paul's Cathedral form a large group among these river scenes. These compositions capture the bustling commercial traffic and atmospheric smoke of the capital. Upstream views focusing on locks, bridges, and rural villages around Richmond, Windsor, and Marlow offer a contrasting pastoral charm. Both urban and rural subjects reflect the enduring nineteenth and early twentieth-century fascination with the Thames.

How do I date a nineteenth-century painting?

Dating relies on a combination of visible architectural landmarks, artist working dates, and physical characteristics of the paper and framing. Changes in London's skyline, such as the construction dates of specific bridges, provide reliable chronological markers. Examine any inscriptions on the reverse of the mount or stretcher bars, which frequently record the exact year, exhibition history, or title of the work.