Arthur H. Vachell (November 8, 1864 – June 1, 1933), also known as A. V., was an English watercolorist who was associated with the art colony in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.
Arthur Vachell | |
|---|---|
 Vachell in his garden in Carmel ca. 1916 | |
| Born | Arthur Honywood Vachell November 8, 1864 |
| Died | 1 June 1933 (aged 68) |
| Resting place | St Thomas à Becket Church, Widcombe |
| Education | Harrow School |
| Occupation | Painter |
| Years active | 1905-1923 |
| Known for | Introducing polo to the West Coast |
Early life and education
editVachell was born on November 8, 1864, in Dover, England. He was the third of three sons. His older siblings included the writer Horace Annesley Vachell and Lucy, while his younger brother was Guy. His father, Richard Tanfield Vachell, was a former landowner,[1] and his mother, Georgina, was the daughter of Arthur Lyttelton-Annesley.[2]
Career
editIn 1881, Vachell and his two brothers, Arthur and Guy, relocated to California, buying land at Rancho Corral de Piedra, which they named "Tally Ho." Situated in the Arroyo Grande basin, to the southeast of San Luis Obispo, California, they began planting trees and vines.[3][4]
On May 20, 1887, Horace and Arthur, along with their San Luis Polo Club, competed against the San Francisco Polo Club in Arroyo Grande, California, drawing a crowd of 500 spectators.[5]
During their time in San Luis Obispo, Arthur, Guy, and Horace were involved in acting in the play Jane at the Pavilion Theater. The San Luis Obispo Tribune said, "It was a very enjoyable play, well stages and well played."[6]
He painted landscapes, garden scenes, and seascapes of the Carmel Beach.[7]
Vachell’s had friendships within the literary community. Society columns chronicled his travels and the company he kept. Willard Huntington Wright from the Los Angeles Times categorized Vachell within Carmel's conservative social circle, dubbed "the Eminently Respectables," alongside with figures like the MacGowan sisters and Arnold Genthe. Vachell was among the painters who often socialized with the literary community.[8][9]
For the Forest Theatre Society, Vachell acted in the role of Tweedle-dee in Alice in Wonderland.[10] He also performed on the stage of the Greek Theater at the University of California, Berkeley campus in a production of The Toad.[11]
In 1916, Vachell, among other locals acted in and painted the scenery for th play The Piper, presented by the Arts and Crafts Club at the Forest Theater.[12]
In 1927, Horace and Arthur relocated to England and bought the large 18th century, English country estate, Widcombe Manor House, in Widcombe, Bath, England.[13][14]
Death
editVachell died on June 1, 1933, in Exmouth, England, at the age of 69.[15]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Horace Annesley Vachell". Oxford Reference. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ "The International Blue Book". International Who's Who Publishing Company. 1910. p. 201. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ "Personal". Daily Evening Tribune. San Luis Obispo, California. November 1, 1883. p. 3. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ "Real Estate Transactions". San Luis Obispo Tribune. San Luis Obispo, California. December 28, 1888. p. 1. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
- ^ "Polo Game. The Teams of Bainbridge and Lord Vachell in Contest". Los Angeles Herald. Los Angeles, California. May 20, 1887. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ "Jane Tonight At The Pavilion." San Luis Obispo Tribune. San Luis Obispo, California. April 15, 1898. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ Artists at Continent's End The Monterey Peninsula Art Colony, 1875-1907. University of California Press. April 17, 2006. pp. 190, 247, 272–273. ISBN 978-0-520-24739-0. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ "Hotbed Of Souful Culture Vortex Of Erotic Erudition. Carmel in California, Where Author and Artist Folk Are Establishing the Most Amazing Colony on Earth". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. May 22, 1910. p. 13. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ "Carmel Colony In Fast And Gay Laughter". The Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. December 3, 1911. p. 48. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ "Children Play "Alice in Wonderland" Youngsters of Carmel Amaze Audience". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, California. July 6, 1912. p. 5. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ ""The Toad" Reflects Passions Which Have Wrecked Empires". The San Francisco Call and Post. San Francisco, California. July 20, 1912. p. 13. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ "Two Plays to Have Premier at Fair Carmel-by-the-Sea"". San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco, California. June 25, 1916. p. 21. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ Elizabeth Holland. "Widcombe Manor - The Golden House" (PDF). historyofbath.org. Widcombe, Bath. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ "Closeup Chats About Writers". The Sacramento Union. Sacramento, California. November 4, 1928. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ "Arthur H. Vachell Once Resident, Dies in England". The Tribune. San Luis Obispo, California. November 3, 1933. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
External links
edit
- "Arthur Honywood Vachell". batharchives.co.uk. January 1864.
- Artist Biography & Facts for Arthur Vachell
- "Death In England Of a Former S.L.O. County Resident". Pismo Times. Pismo Beach, California. November 3, 1933. p. 2.