Frank McFadden
FRANK McFADDEN lived most of his life at no. 16 Avenue Road. The house was originally known as Norma Cottage, but later as Clovelly Cottage, and was the family home from at least 1865. There is a record of Frank being christened Frederick McFadden on 23rd January 1856 at All Saints Church, Southampton. His father, John McFadden, set the pattern of working at the Ordnance Survey where he was a copper plate printer. He died just before the 1891 census which recorded his widow, Lucy, as “living on her own means with bachelor sons Rowland 45, William 37 and Frank 34”. The first two were identified as Ordnance Survey employees but Frank was described as “artist, etcher, sculptor”.
The City Art Gallery holds 33 examples of Frank’s work – 29 prints of topographical etchings and four portraits in oils of municipal worthies. Most of his etchings and paintings were done between the years 1880–1900. He is best known for a series of 12 etchings published by H.M. Gilbert under the title Vestiges of Old Southampton. An important friend at this time was photographer, Thomas Hibberd James, and we can see that Frank made use of some of his photographs to ensure the accuracy of his etchings.
Three of his oil paintings – depicting the Bargate, Westgate and St Cross, Winchester – were exhibited at the Royal Academy during 1889–2; however, their present whereabouts are unknown. He died 17th April 1933. Rowland also exhibited two landscapes at the Royal Academy between 1874–79.
Three of his oil paintings – depicting the Bargate, Westgate and St Cross, Winchester – were exhibited at the Royal Academy during 1889–2; however, their present whereabouts are unknown. He died 17th April 1933. Rowland also exhibited two landscapes at the Royal Academy between 1874–79.
Arundel Tower