Antique 1895 Original Watercolor by Arthur Hopkins Church Steps Minehead Somerset

An exceptional original watercolor painted in 1895 by the listed British artist Arthur Hopkins (1848–1930). A distinguished member of the Royal Watercolour Society and regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy, Hopkins is highly regarded for his topographical scenes and illustrations. This verified original captures the historic Church Steps in Minehead, Somerset.

The piece displays remarkable preservation for a nineteenth-century artwork, largely due to late 20th-century professional framing by The Branch Gallery in West Sussex, which successfully protected the pigments from UV degradation over the decades. Close inspection confirms its authenticity as an original painting rather than a print or reproduction: the heavy tooth of the cold-pressed watercolor paper is clearly visible, along with distinct, organic pigment pooling and the fluid, varying opacity of Hopkins’s signature pen-and-wash linework.

The composition presents a traditional village scene complete with thatched-roof cottages, vivid florals, and figures in period-accurate Victorian attire conversing near a wrought-iron lamp. A masterfully authenticated antique that brings distinguished British provenance to any fine art collection.

Specs
Maker/Artist: Arthur Hopkins
Year Made: 1895
Materials: Watercolor on cold-pressed paper, ink, wood frame, glass
Dimensions: 20.5" H x 26" W x 1.5" D

Condition
The painting is in excellent antique condition with vivid hues and no visible foxing, preserved beautifully by its protective enclosure. The wood frame displays minor superficial wear and light scuffs consistent with age and previous display.