A newly-discovered painting by a renowned Derby artist and school teacher has brought an important piece of city history back to life.
All Saints’ Church, Mackworth, which was ravaged by fire on December 3, 2020, was captured on canvas in its heyday by the late Marion Adnams, and her painting is now set for auction.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “This find, which came in for valuation at our Etwall auction centre, had previously adorned a local pub. Its arrival has touched many hearts at our Derbyshire saleroom, particularly mine. Mackworth is my family church and I was devastated when fire gutted the building.
“I married there, loved ones are buried here. A church so rich in history over 700 years brought joy to many. I was so saddened by the incident I led a special outdoor event at the site to highlight its plight and supported fund-raising efforts to rebuild it.
“Progress is slow but we hope to see All Saints alive again soon with people together shining a light on a building of such history to Derbyshire and the local community.
“After the terrible fire, to see the church in all its glory captured by an important Derby artist was extremely pleasing for me. A member of Hansons’ Derbyshire team Kal Singh Dhindsa was also thrilled by the find as Marion taught at Homelands, which later became Village Community School, which he attended.
Kal said: “It would be wonderful to see this painting purchased by Derby Museums and on public view. It’s an important part of city history and deserves to be on display for everyone to see and enjoy.”
Marion Elizabeth Adnams (1898-1995) was an English painter, printmaker and draughtswoman who gained national recognition for her surrealist paintings.
She was born at 22 Otter Street, Derby, the only daughter of John Frederick Adnams and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Smith. Her artistic interests were encouraged from an early age by her father, a woodwork teacher at Derby School.
After attending Parkfield Cedars School in Derby, she hoped to study art. However, she was urged to go to University College, Nottingham, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages in 1919.
Between 1927 and 1930, Adnams travelled to Belgium, France, and Italy, executing woodcuts of the architecture she encountered. She exhibited them to some acclaim at Derby Art Gallery.
She began her career as art mistress at Derby’s Central School for Girls before being recommended for a transfer to Homelands Grammar School for Girls in 1937. She was appointed senior lecturer at Derby Diocesan Training College in 1948, where she rose to become Head of Art.
Between 1938 and 1970, Adnams painted the surrealist works for which she is principally known, exhibiting at the British Art Centre in London. In 1944 she exhibited at the Modern Art Gallery in London alongside notable fellow artists Jack Bilbo and Max Ernst.
In 1939, Adnams sold her first painting, The Living Tree (1939), to Manchester Art Gallery. Further paintings were purchased by Derby Art Gallery, Salford Museum and Art Gallery and Nottingham Castle Museums.
Adnams retired at the age of 61 in 1960 but never stopped being creative. She acquired a second home in France, producing paintings and drawings influenced by the landscape of Provence. In 1966 she painted a series of murals for the Immanuel Church in Stapenhill, Burton, Staffs.
Sadly, in 1968, at the age of 70, she became partially blind. As her condition worsened, she was left unable to paint. She died at the age of 96 and was honoured with a funeral at Derby Cathedral before burial at Nottingham Road Cemetery in Derby.
Marion’s painting of All Saints’ Church, Mackworth, will be offered in Hansons Auctioneers’ March 30 Fine Art Auction, estimate £400-£500.
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