Battersea Rise House
Oil painting by F.N. Bursill depicting Battersea Rise House. c. 1905
This painting features a two-story building with multiple chimneys, surrounded by lush greenery. The building has large windows on the ground floor and smaller ones on the upper level. The painting style is impressionistic, with broad strokes and a rich colour palette of greens, browns, and earthy tones that blend with the natural environment.
The artist’s signature, “F.N. Bursill,” is visible in the bottom left corner.
Battersea Rise House, located on Clapham Common, was the home of MPs Henry Thornton (1760-1815) and his cousin William Wilberforce (1759-1833). Both men were part of the Clapham Sect, a group of evangelical Anglican social reformers who advocated for the liberation of slaves, the abolition of the slave trade and the reform of the prison system. Reunions of the group took place in the purpose-built library in their home.
The house was demolished in 1907.
Artist Biography
Francis Noel Bursill (1880–active c.1905–1908) A British artist known for his oil and watercolour landscapes, Francis Noel Bursill lived in Battersea during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Bursill also served briefly as a Commissioner for Public Libraries in Battersea, reflecting his civic engagement alongside his artistic practice.
Copyright Holder
copyright: the copyright holder
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