About this piece
back to topA framed gouache painting depicting a view of 18th century Brighton by Irish painter and engraver, Peter Mazell (active 1761-1797).
The painting is titled ‘View of the Steyne, Brighthelmstone, taken from the South’ and dated ‘1768’ below.
Brighthelmstone is the old name for Brighton; the old name transitioned to the new name in the early 1800s.
The Steyne refers to what is now known as the ‘Old Steine’; a thoroughfare of open land in the city centre which links the Grand Parade with the Brighton Palace Pier.
This painting showcases how the Old Steine looked in the mid-18th century, showcasing several figures in Georgian dress enjoying the grassland space. Interestingly, below the painting, Mazell provides a list of the houses, roads and hills pictured in the distance, marking them with numbers on the piece.
To the reverse, a wire for hanging can be found along with an old sticker detailing the piece’s ownership history: ‘Alderman Martin, Mayor of Brighton 1865-66’.
