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An 18th century painting of Elizabeth Castle deemed to be of such significant cultural value to Jersey that it cannot leave the island may soon secure a new owner, despite failing to sell at a recent auction.
Thomas Whitcombe’s ‘Jersey Pier with a Distant View of Elizabeth Castle’ was expected to take in between £80,000 to £120,000 at an auction in Guernsey, but ended up not selling at all.
The privately-owned painting has an export ban placed on it by Jersey Customs and advised by Jersey Heritage, due to its historical importance.
However, it was allowed to be viewed in Guernsey at the auction for a limited time thanks to a temporary export license granted in September.
Jersey Representative of Martel Maides Auctions Jonathan Voak told Express that “although it didn’t sell at the sale itself, there’s still hope it might post-sale”, adding that, though he could not comment on specifics, there had been “interest.”
He remarked that the export ban “must have had some influence” over the fact the painting didn't sell at auction, as, though “a picture like that would mostly appeal to Jersey buyers”, there would be an expectation that an artist like Thomas Whitcombe would “appeal to a wider collecting circle.”
Pictured: The painting depicts a Revenue Cutter, which intercepted smuggling ships coming in from France.
The painting, dated to 1785, only four years after the Battle of Jersey, depicts a British Merchant Ship alongside a Revenue Cutter and other ships, giving an insight into both the topography of the harbour at the time and the smuggling route between Jersey and France.
Explaining the significance of the painting to the island, Jonathan said: “the importance of it is there isn’t a great deal from the 18th century that depicts Jersey – the number of reliable views are very few and far between,” and that it was unusual for someone as prominent as “leading marine painter” Whitcombe to have travelled to the island in this period.
He added that, in his opinion, “it’s one of the best and most important historical pictures of Jersey I’ve ever seen in private hands” and that “from a historical point of view, it’s a tremendous scene.”
Jersey Heritage's Collections and Archives Director, Louise Downie told Express that the organisation had tried to purchase the painting “some years ago”, but was unable due to funding issues. It therefore was keen to find another way to ensure the special work would remain on the island.
She explained: “Jersey Heritage works with the Customs and Immigration department to monitor the export cultural goods of a Channel Islands cultural interest.
“This particular painting is of cultural significance to the Island, so the condition on its export was applied to keep the painting in the island.”
Jonathan said that further conversations with Customs and Heritage will be had in the near-future regarding the fate of the painting.
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