Famous local artist

Many locally will know Taintree House at the southern end of Heathfield Road. What is less well known is that a famous artist lived there in the early Twentieth Century, certainly in 1911.

James Hamilton Hay (1874 – 1916) lived there with his wife, who was the daughter of the Lord Mayor of Liverpool. He was a prolific artist and has many works displayed in galleries, particularly in Liverpool, Birkenhead and Carlisle.

While he lived in Audlem, he painted at least three landscapes including one described as 'a delightful picture of the brook which flows under arched bridge on the old village green and meanders through rich meadowland'. It was entitled "The Vale of Audlem.'

It was reported in 1980 by Christopher Hilton to be on display at the Tullie House Gallery in Carlisle along with another work showing the front room of Taintree House, which we have managed to track down and it is seen in our illustrations. Do click on them to show them in more detail and the correct format.

At least four works featuring local scenes are said to be in existence. We have managed to track another one down which is simply titled 'Audlem, Cheshire' and it is in the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum in Birkenhead. See top left. Another is titled 'The Lovers' which is housed in the Walker Art gallery in Liverpool.

Other paintings we show are The Old Man of Coniston; An Evening in Green Park, London and The Shop Window.

If anyone knows anymore about his Audlem paintings, please let AudlemOnline know at editor@audlem.org

The name of Taintree House is derived from 'Twain Tree' which is turn comes from the two fine copper beeches in the grounds of the house, which was earlier known as the Manor House until 1874. The date the house was built is unknown but the deeds go back to 1742.

Our thanks to Celia Bloor for bringing this artist to our attention.

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