[Preston, James] 1834-1898 :[Cricklewood, South Canterbury. 1883 or later]

Shows a homestead and farm buildings with three horses in the foreground, fences, farm carts, two men attending to another horse, a carcass-hanger and a train in the background. The homestead is surrounded by a hedge of young conifers [possibly the site of the first homestead on Albury Station, South Canterbury].

Little is known about 'Cricklewood Station' or 'Cricklewood House/homestead'. It was presumably situated in the area still known as Cricklewood, in the Mackenzie Country, North-West of Timaru (and the artist lived in this area). It was reputedly burnt down, possibly in the 1880s. This watercolour was given its title by the Curator by reason of a comparison with an almost identical painting by Preston titled 'Cricklewood'. The latter is held by the Canterbury Museum and reproduced in: Oakley, John. "Paintings of Canterbury 1840-1890" (Wellington, 1969) p. 59. There was a large sheep station called Kingsbury alongside Cricklewood Railway Station by 1911, and this view may show Kingsbury Station

Dating: trains did not run through the Cricklewood area until 1883, giving an earliest date at which this watercolour could have been done.

Exhibited in 'Wide-Eyed: Early Images of New Zealand' exhibition of works by settler artists, held at the National Library of New Zealand Gallery, 18 July - 9 November 1997.

Title supplied by Library.

Reverend James Preston often undertook journeys by horse around his parish of Geraldine. The area known as Cricklewood is part of the Albury district in South Canterbury. Cricklewood railway station was on the Fairlie to Timaru railway line.

Quantity: 1 watercolour(s).

Physical Description: Watercolour on card 227 x 300 mm

Provenance: Preston family.