Collection Highlight: ‘An Old Boundary Mark’ by William Richard Bunting
This painting is ‘An Old Boundary Mark, Oxford Street and Albert Street, Grimsby, Lincolnshire’. It was painted by William Richard Bunting in 1936.
Bunting’s tranquil impression of 19th-century Grimsby captivated me with its striking colours and meticulous detail. The piece offers a fascinating glimpse into the town’s architecture and culture at the time, providing a snapshot of Grimsby in its fishing heyday. The mysterious body of water in the foreground also raises intriguing questions about the painting’s location and how different the area looks today.
Above all, the painting is a perfect example of Grimsby’s rich creative tradition, dating back centuries. It is a monument to the unwavering legacy of artistic expression in our community.
Expressive style
The painting’s expressive style immediately captured my attention. The beauty of the sunset and light breaking through the clouds, reflecting on the water, creates a blissful, nostalgic overtone. This piece is characteristic of Bunting’s style, which often showed intricate sunsets overlooking old buildings and natural landscapes. Other works of his, such as Habrough Mill and Riverside Pastime and Pleasure, reflect a similar use of vibrant colours. Perhaps this illustrates a deep longing for an idyllic past.
The careful detail in the scene is another aspect I found appealing. St Mary’s Church stands resplendent and faint against the sunset amidst the chimneys and carefully detailed rows of houses. This painting evokes a feeling that you could look at it many times and notice something new each time.
Historical Reflections
The symbols of Grimsby’s maritime history also fascinated me. The billowing chimneys, tool-sheds, and terraced houses contrast sharply with the faint religious symbol of St Mary’s in the distance. Bunting was a devout Catholic and remained so until his death in 1951. This adds a poignant layer to the symbolic clash between bustling modernity and traditional faith seen in this painting.
Several clues suggest Bunting may have painted this scene from memory. Brocklesby Coopers Fish Curers, an Albion Street -based business, is seen on the right-hand wooden gate. However, it appears in none of the trade directories from 1936, when the piece was completed. Instead it can be traced much further back, to 1880.
The intricate detail of the buildings likely reflects Bunting’s own personal memories of the East Marsh. Census records indicate that he lived on Victor Street in 1891 aged 24, and later Duke Street in 1901, close to the scene depicted here. This might explain the painting’s wistfully nostalgic tone. The children playing next to the water carry a theme of youthful innocence further.
It captures a poignant snapshot of Grimsby as its maritime trade flourished at the end of the 19th-century.
Mysterious Location
The mysterious water flowing towards the Church was especially intriguing for me. Despite living in Grimsby my whole life, I had never known of a river running in this part of town!
As the title suggests, the scene is painted from Oxford Street. This means the two rows of buildings are the backs of Hope Street and Albion Street respectively. According to a map from 1888, a drain ran between these two streets down to St Mary’s Church, aligning with the perspective shown here.
The East Marsh Drain became heavily contaminated with a buildup of fish refuse in the late 1800s. By 1908, almost thirty years before Bunting painted this scene, it had disappeared entirely from maps. Today the drain is paved over, and the Mariners Pub now stands where Brocklesby Coopers appears in the painting.
This injects another layer of contrast to the scene. The serene, delicate sunset reflecting on a dirty drainage ditch portrays a clash between natural beauty and the harshness of working-class life. Bunting’s work, then, not only showcases themes of nostalgia, but also the brutal conditions of late 19th-century life.
Indeed, the title itself, ‘An Old Boundary Mark’, evokes a deep sense of past significance, as if the rise of industry marked a permanent boundary to a lost, innocent time.
Summary
Above all, this painting is testament to the broad, creative tradition within our local community. It captures Bunting’s unique style through expressive, natural landscapes and a realistic depiction of working-class life.
Many thanks are due to Grimsby Central Library and Garry Crossland, who turned me towards many helpful resources whilst researching this piece.
Written by Brad Arliss
I am a local musician and a History graduate from the University of Manchester. I volunteer with the art collection at the Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre and in the Associated British Ports archives. I am passionate about social history, especially working class history, and I am keen to showcase the history of art and music across North East Lincolnshire.
If you would like to contribute to the museum’s blog please contact Chloe, our Community Curator, at chloe.james@nelincs.gov.uk