Philip J. Marvin, Arts & Crafts House Design, Isle of Wight, 1880s, Watercolour

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An original c.1880s watercolour painting, Philip J. Marvin, Proposed Arts & Crafts House, Isle of Wight.A stunning original architectural design … Read more An original c.1880s watercolour painting, Philip J. Marvin, Proposed Arts & Crafts House, Isle of Wight.A stunning original architectural design for a proposed house by talented late-Victorian architect Philip J. Marvin (1849–1931). The location of the house is unidentified, but Marvin hailed from the Isle of Wight and returned there later in his career, so it is likely that the coastal location is on the island. It is assumed that this design remained a proposal and was never built.The imposing seven bedroom property is visioned in the new Arts and Crafts style. Included at the top of the drawing are two small floor plans showing that the main rooms are located at the front, along with the sweeping curved verandas and turret balcony, to benefit from the magnificent sea views. The bathroom, dressing room, servant's bedroom and kitchen (a sign of the times) are to the rear. The Arts and Crafts style sees many crafted and historical features incorporated into the design, such as the church-like weathervane and sundial, leaded windows, and the red tile hanging to the first storey walls, which were popular at the time to give a vernacular feel.Much of Philip Marvin's architectural work was in Gothic Revival style, so it is interesting to consider the way in which historicism closely informed modern Arts and Crafts design. The potential Isle of Wight location is interesting too, in the context of the cultural life of the island at that time: Alfred Tennyson at Farringford, the Prinsep family, photographer Julia Margaret Cameron, and the artist George Frederic Watts, for whom the pioneering Arts and Crafts architect Philip Webb designed The Briary at Freshwater.In watercolour with graphite. Signed: Signed lower left. Inscribed: No. Height: 24.9cm (9.8″) Width: 36cm (14.2″) Condition: In very good condition for its age. Some slight marks to the sky area, and a small crease across the lower left corner of the paper. Please see photos for detail. Presented: Unframed. See less