George Brannon Colour Print: Westover (1822)

George Brannon was born in Ireland in 1784. . .he was almost entirely self-educated but became one of the most prominent engravers of his time. In his obituary (likely penned by his son Philip), it is mentioned that in his early years as an artist, he displayed great awareness and skill as he progressed through his apprenticeship with the masters. He went on to become an accomplished artist in both water and oil, in addition to possessing a keen eye for architecture. Over the course of the following years, nine new additions were added to the Brannon family of which only six actually survived to maturation, which was in those days fairly common. Their two most well-known offspring were Alfred and Philip, who both followed in their father’s footsteps by becoming renowned artists, engravers, architects, civil engineers, and inventors. . .By 1824, the family business was well-established, and he had developed a style and realistic sharpness that elevated his technique to the level of the masters he had studied. They produced engravings of the Island as well as other nearby cities, including Southampton. . .Both sons Alfred and Philip continued to run the business” (adapted from IslandEye site biography). “During Brannon’s lifetime the handmade prints were sometimes sold individually but most were bound in yearly editions of Brannon’s popular book “Vectis Scenery”, first was published in 1821. This was a hugely popular publication through most of the 19th Century and has been referred to as the Island’s first tourist and souvenir guidebook due to the comprehensive illustrations and maps providing visitors with a unique piece of memorabilia in the age before photography” (Northwood House site). This item is a print of Westover, Isle of Wight – an engraved illustration from The Principal Seats and Villas in The Isle of Wight. This one illustrating “Westover, The Seat of Sir L.T. Worsley Holmes Bart. M.P”. One of the scarcest of the Brannon Isle of Wight prints.