Cider Making at Westcott Farm, Cornwall
Mary Martin (b. St Dominic, Cornwall 1951)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1981
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1000 x 1000 mm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Cotehele, Cornwall
NT 348090
Caption
This is an interior view of cider making at Westcott Farm near Callington in Cornwall. The artist has painted herself into the scene, standing on the left, and her husband, James Evans, is seen holding a sack bending down in the centre. The white horse was called 'Fanny'. It records an historic moment when an old cider-press had been rediscovered and it was decided to make cider in the old traditional way using local Tamar apples. Historically, cider, which kept longer than water during transatlantic voyages and safe to drink without fear of disease was the preferred choice of drink on sailing ships leaving Plymouth, The first pressing the couple were both first involved in was in 1980. Mary and James have since been involved in setting up the Mother Orchard at Cotehele.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Cider Making at Westcott Farm, Cornwall by Mary Martin (b. Cornwall 1951), 1981. An interior view of cider making at Westcott farm near Callington. The woman on the left is Mary, the artist, and James Evans, her husband can be seen bending down, next to Mary. The white horse in the central background was called 'Fanny'. Mary Martin (15 June 2012) describes the painting: “Cider Making at Westcott; this was bought by the National Trust after one of my exhibitions. Painted in 1981 after James and I made cider in the old fashioned way on the Hambly's farm.” Mary and her husband, James Evans have been extensively involved with setting up the Mother Orchard at Cotehele.
Provenance
Bought by the National Trust from the artist in 1981.
Makers and roles
Mary Martin (b. St Dominic, Cornwall 1951), artist