THE descendants of Watchet’s iconic marine painter Thomas Chidgey – including life-peer Lord David Chidgey – gathered for a rare major exhibition of his work, which opened at the town’s Lynda Cotton Gallery on Sunday (March 11).
Sponsored by Watchet Market House Museum, the 25-picture exhibition features coastal schooners, brigs and ketches from the last days of working sail, painted in stunning technical detail by an artist who was also a master mariner.
Born in 1845, Captain Chidgey – now recognised as one of the leading Pierhead Painters of his time – was a self-taught artist who started painting at an early age.
After a life at sea, Captain Chidgey retired to his home in Severn Terrace, Watchet, and died in 1926.
His life has recently been chronicled in a new book, Thomas Chidgey, Marine Artist of Watchet, by local author Paul Upton, which was launched at the exhibition.
Curated by gallery owner Nick Cotton and Jim Nicholas of the Market House Museum, the exhibition was opened by the Mayor of Watchet, Cllr Peter Murphy. It closes tomorrow (Saturday). Photos: Terry Walker