Durham

Alfred William Hunt was born in Liverpool. He went to Oxford University but returned to the city as a young man to pursue his career as an artist. He was influenced by Pre-Raphaelite artists and ideas. He and his wife Margaret Raine Hunt lived in Durham when they were first married. Hunt returned to the city throughout his career and made many drawings of Durham and the surrounding countryside. His treatment of light and atmosphere showed the evolving character of the seasons.

This watercolour shows the three towers of Durham Cathedral against the south-western sky. The main keep of Durham Castle, begun by William the Conqueror (1027/8-1087) in 1072, is visible on the far right. The 12th century Elvet Bridge crosses the River Wear in the foreground. The watercolour was probably made around 1881. It was exhibited that year at the Old Watercolour Society (now the Royal Watercolour Society) in London.