Fred Taylor (1875-1963) Framed Watercolour of The Pelican House, Bruges

An early 20^th century framed and glazed watercolour depicting ‘The Pelican House, Bruges’ by British artist, Fred Taylor (1875-1963).

Signed to the lower right, this watercolour painting was once part of an exhibition; a label detailing the title of the piece and the artist can be found on the reverse.

‘The Pelican House’ (also known as Godshuis de Pelicaen) is a medieval almshouse located in along a canal in the centre of Bruges, Belgium. An almshouse is a home provided for local people in need and The Pelican House was founded in the 15^th century for just that purpose – providing safe housing for elderly women in need.

The house is named as such for its distinctive pediment above its great entrance, depicting a pelican feeding its young with its own blood. The symbol is an ancient Christian motif associated with self-sacrifice and charity.

Both the entrance and the pediment can be seen in this watercolour which captures the vision of The Pelican House as it remains to this very day. 

Provenance: Property of the artist, thence by family descent