Eyre Crowe (1824-1910)

‘Bob-Cherry’ (1871) by Eyre Crowe

Medium: oil

Size: 16 x 22 inches

Exhibited: Royal Academy, 1872

Owner: Private owner, USA

The ‘Bluecoat School’, or Christ’s Hospital School, was housed on Newgate Street in the City of London until 1902. Crowe recorded in his diary on 14 February 1902 that this picture had been sold at Christie’s as part of the collection of the late William Waring of Prince’s Gardens, London. It was auctioned again on 26 April 1937 in London, fetching £6 16s 6d. It has been in the possession of the same American family ever since.

A copyright certificate for ‘Blue Coat Boys dated 24 October 1871, exists in the archives of the University of Wales, Bangor (Garthewin Additional Collection of manuscripts [1586 (i)]), which may refer to this painting. ‘Bob-Cherry’ was dated 1871 in the auction of 1937.

Athenaeum, 25 May 1872:

‘Bob-Cherry’ (214) depicts boys playing at the well-known game; the prizes are slung between a lamp-post and a pillar of the portico opening to their school, the Bluecoat School; the lads follow each other in a line, and take turns to jump and bite, or miss. Of the spectators, one, with all the energy of a boy, clasps the lamp-post and clambers up it; two, of more ‘philosophical’ minds, lean against the neighbouring iron railings, and speculate on the winner; another, perched on the parapet, also looks on at the game, but with more zest for the sport. All these figures are beautifully drawn, the faces being remarkable in that respect, and the draperies are thoroughly understood, and mastered with most scrupulous care. The actions are rendered with consummate spirit, and are the result of rare powers of observation. The design tells the story in the most enjoyable manner, and with perfect simplicity and vivacity. Although the picture lacks warmth of colour, and is somewhat deficient in depth of tone, it is not difficult to overlook such shortcomings, where there is so much sound, clear, precise, and delicate handling, and where the defects are of a negative rather than of a positive character.

Daily Telegraph, 25 May 1872:

Per contra, a touch of dare-devilry, a spice of mutinous spirit, an infusion of contempt for the proprieties and the possibilities, might be of advantage to that pain-taking, appreciative, but somewhat too reserved artist, Mr. Eyre Crowe whose four pictures (214), “Bob-cherry,” (354) “Tiff,” (569) “Out of School,” and (909) “John Howard succouring the Galley Slaves at Venice, A.D. 1778” are all most commendable on the score of conception, design, composition, and finish, but are all slightly deficient in vivacity and bria. Mr. Crowe does his pictorial duty, but he does no more. There is no perceptible margin to his work, either on the favourable or the unfavourable side. His boots are most accurately balanced, to the last fraction; but he does not inclined to work overtime. It is the province of genius to excel and to exceed. Mr. Crowe is apparently content with excellence. He rests and is thankful; he never descends; but we miss the inscription of “Excelsior” on his banner. Thus, in “Bob-cherry” and “Out of School,” he has painted two capital little transcripts of Bluecoat Boys at play – faithful, humorous, dexterous pictures, eminently skilful likewise in the manner in which the difficulties of the boys’ costumes have been dealt with, but which, through their unambitious execution, leave in the spectator a sensation of something to be desired. That which is given us is capital; but we want more; and the feeling of dissatisfaction is heightened by the conviction that Mr. Eyre Crowe could give us a great deal more if he chose.

The Times, 5 June 1872:

Painted biography and history are likely to prove less popular, as we have no doubt Mr. E. Crowe can tell us, than these pleasant little pictures of Bluecoat boys at their sports, with their blue skirts tucked up for bob-cherry (214)… it is pleasant to have proof in Mr. Crowe’s pictures that the Bluecoat boys can play, for all their cumbersome garb and their city habitat.