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Special Feature
19th Century
Art meets 21st
by ROWLAND ‘CHICK’ ANTHONY
PRESIDENT,
Century Technology
Société Jersiaise
Important Acquisitions by the Société Jersiaise
The Société Jersiaise was founded in 1873 for the study of The collection adds considerably
Jersey Archaeology, History, Natural History, the Ancient to our knowledge of the artist
Language and the Conservation of the Environment. It remains and his working methods. In
a thriving organisation today with over 3,500 members, a particular it provides evidence
professional staff and a dedicated team of volunteers. The of his travels on the continent,
Society maintains a Restricted Fund into which donations and notably through a sequence of
bequests are deposited. The Fund is subject to the strict ten large watercolours of the Rhine
condition that it is to be utilised solely to meet the Society’s aim executed in August 1845, a visual record
of acquiring and preserving Jersey artefacts, and not for meeting of visits to Brittany and Normandy
administration costs. between 1846 and 1859, and several
journeys to England. Our knowledge of
The significance of this fund has been demonstrated recently by his travels is further enhanced by the
expenditure on two vital acquisitions. Earlier this year the inclusion of the artist’s passports, issued
Executive Committee of the Société Jersiaise was approached by between 1839 and 1871. Contributing to
a representative of the family of Jersey Artist, Philip John Ouless our understanding of the artist’s working methods as a ship
(1817-1885) offering the chance to acquire a large collection portrait painter is a sketchbook with a comprehensive list of
comprising paintings, sketchbooks and archival material. The over fifty vessels with detailed measurements and
relevance of the collection was immediately recognised by the specifications.
Committee who elected to deploy the Restricted Fund for its
purchase. The acquisition process is now complete and the The collection is particularly strong in views of the artist’s
items will join the collections already owned by the Society and native island of Jersey, both of the coast and interior, and
cared for by the Jersey Heritage Trust. includes items of topographical interest such as the site of
Chateau La Chaire, Rozel, the building of the Grand-
The collection comprises: Anquette and Mr Thomas Sohier’s Farm at St Martin.
• 134 mounted water colours and drawings by Philip John
Ouless executed between 1845-1873. The acquisition complements
the large group of works on
• 8 sketchbooks by Philip John Ouless executed between paper by Ouless already in
1841-1883. the ownership of the Society.
These are predominantly
• 3 sketchbooks by Walter William Ouless (1848-1933), studies of vessels produced in
son of Philip John Ouless, executed between 1862-1864. relation to the artist’s
profession as a marine and
• 13 passports pertaining to the travels of Philip John Ouless ship portrait painter.
between 1839-1871. Furthermore, there were
previously only three
• Envelope addressed to Philip John Ouless containing a bill sketchbooks by Philip John
of sale and doctor’s prescription. Ouless and none by Walter
William Ouless in the P J Ouless portrait 1884
• Two glass negatives by Clarence P Ouless (Philip’s son) of ownership of the Société
Portrait of the artist Philip John Ouless
taken by his son Clarence P Ouless
Philip John Ouless and his wife, taken a year before his death. Jersiaise or the Jersey
photographer in 1884.
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