Picture List

This illustrated list is intended to give some indication of the scope and quality of Bussey's work. The pictures are arranged in chronological order. Here is an introduction to Reuben Bussey's work.

Picture Title Medium, date, owner. Notes

Reuben Bussey was born 12 February 1818 at Nottingham.
He was baptised that year at the non-conformist Castle Gate Meeting, son of William
and Ann Bussey. William Bussey ran a cork cutting business in Nottingham.
Reuben's early talent was recognised and he was given support to study in London.

Self portrait

Self portrait

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Watercolour. Probably 1840s.

Private collection.

Bussey appears to be in his twenties. 250 × 185 mm.

William Bussey

William Bussey

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Oil on canvas. Probably 1840s.

Private collection.

Portrait of the artist's father William Bussey who lived 1789 - 1851. 385 × 310 mm. Probably the same picture included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mrs Reuben Bussey. No 1 in catalogue.
  John Ward. Born Jan 27th 1790; Died Oct 21st 1860. The Artist's Uncle. Probably 1840s. Included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mrs Reuben Bussey. No 29 in catalogue.
 

Prince Rupert at the Battle of Edgehill 1642

Probably 1840s.

Sold at Christies 3 April 1964 by Laurence Brook. 20 × 27 inches.

Saville's head Saville's head 1844.

From the Phrenological Journal 1844 'Case of Saville, a murderer': '...a sketch of Saville's head, taken by a friend of Mr Beggs, Mr Reuben Bussey, a young artist of Nottingham, who has paid some attention to Phrenology.'

Phrenology was popular at the time. The attempt to link criminal behaviour to features of the head is discredited today.

  Caesar and Pompey crossing the Trent near Wilford Ferry, Nottingham 1844. Described in the text of Heather Williams's 1981 thesis. Exhibited at Birmingham.
  A Cavalier. Oil painting. 1845. Included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr Chas R Attenborough. No 34 in catalogue.
The declining health of his father made Reuben decide to give up his studies and return
home from London and assist in running the family cork cutting business. Reuben married Elizabeth Ward in 1847 at Nottingham.
His father died in 1851 at Lister Gate. About 1860 Reuben resolved to become a professional artist.
  Along the coast 1854 The Artinfo website gives these auction details which are probably the same picture: (1) Along the coast, Paintings (1854) Doyle New York Dec 01, 1982 1,300 USD (1) By the coast, Paintings (1854) Sotheby's Jan 22, 1982 1,000 USD.
  Pug's Dinner Party. Oil painting. 1860. Included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by E Egerton Leigh. No 54 in catalogue.
Street scene in Nottingham

Street scene in Nottingham

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Watercolour, probably 1860s.

Private collection.

310 × 205 mm.

The scene is probably St Peter's Church Walk.

The Goodwin Family Warser Gate

The Goodwin Family Warser Gate

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1861. Watercolour on paper.

Private collection.

Approx 310 × 205 mm.
Royal Oak Day: Success to the King

Royal Oak Day: Success to the King

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Oil on canvas. 1862.

Private collection.

29 May is 'Royal Oak Day' or 'Oak Apple Day'. It celebrates the escape and restoration of King Charles II. The day was was expunged from the church calendar in 1859 and Bussey's picture could be interpreted as an attempt to keep the celebration alive. 30 × 25 inches.
  Henry II granting the Great Charter to the Burgesses of Nottingham in Nottingham Castle. AD 1155. Oil painting. 1863. Included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr James Ward. No 17 in catalogue.
Portrait of a chestnut horse outside a stable with two terriers

Portrait of a chestnut horse outside a stable with two terriers.

Oil painting 1864.

Artnet website says this was auctioned, probably in 2012, 18 × 22 inches.

It may be the same picture as 'Study of a Horse' included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr Lionel Gyngell. No 37 in catalogue.

  A Distant View of Hardwick Hall. A timber wagon being loaded in the foreground 1865.

Listed in card index at Nottingham Local Studies Library. 19.5 × 32.5 inches.

This is probably the same as these auction details from the Artinfo website: (1) Distant view of Hardwick Hall, Paintings Sotheby's May 12, 1965 100 GBP; (2) Hardwick Hall, Derby; Paintings (1865) Young Fine Arts Auctions Nov 30, 1985 700 USD.

This may be the same as the oil painting titled 'Hardwick Hall' included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr Reuben Harris. No 26 in catalogue.

Twenty Dogs or A Chorus of Dogs

Twenty Dogs
or
A Chorus of Dogs

Oil on canvas. 1865.

Private collection.

Listed online at Bridgeman Art Library.

The Artnet website gives other details: (1) sold Phillips London, Tuesday, June 21, 1994 with the title: "A Chorus of Dogs"; (2) sold Phillips London, Tuesday, October 11, 1994 with the title: "A Chorus of Dogs" 1600 GBP; (3) sold Christie's South Kensington: Thursday, April 4, 1996 with the title "Twenty Dogs" 1600 GBP.

14.2 inches in diameter, signed and dated 1865.

The Major Oak

The Major Oak
(this is an assumed title as no title appears on the picture)

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Oil on canvas. 1866.

Private collection.

The picture appears to show the Major Oak. For more information on this famous tree in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire see the Nottinghamshire County Council website and Find the Major Oak.

Signed R. Bussey and dated 1866 in the bottom left hand corner. Purchased in 2008 from the Red House Antiques Centre in York, England. 380 mm by 280 mm.

  The Mill House

Oil. 1867.

Private collection

Shows 'an old mill house with water running through and under bridge with a lady crossing the bridge holding a basket'.
Five scenes on one canvas of Holy Trinity Church, Bulcote, Nottinghamshire

Five scenes on one canvas of Holy Trinity Church, Bulcote, Nottinghamshire

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Oil. 1867.

Bulcote Church.

For more information see the website for Holy Trinity Church, Bulcote, Nottinghamshire. Reproduced with grateful thanks to John Fisher and the Bulcote Church.
  Rural scene Oil. 1867. Auctioned by Arthur Johnson & Sons Nottingham in 1991. Rural scene showing cottage with people outside with hilly countryside.
The Lovers The Lovers Oil on canvas. 1867.

Internet auction 2005. 20 × 34 inches.

  Figures and cattle before Haddon Hall 1868 The Artinfo website gives these auction details: Figures and cattle before Haddon Hall, Paintings (1868) Phillips DEC 14, 1981 400 GBP.
The Black Knights

The Black Knights

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Oil. 1868.

Private collection.

One of the monochrome illustrations in Heather Williams's 1981 thesis. Discussed in detail by her.
Revolution: The Earl of Devonshire addressing the people from the steps of the old Malt Cross, Nottingham, Nov 23rd 1688

Revolution: The Earl of Devonshire addressing the people from the steps of the old Malt Cross, Nottingham, Nov 23rd 1688

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Oil. 1869.

Private collection.

Sold at Christies April 1916 by J Goodwin Esq. 51.5 × 77 inches. Probably the same oil painting titled included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr John T Goodwin. No 42 in catalogue.

An article in the Nottinghamshire Guardian for 22 October 1869 tells us that the picture was exhibited that year at the Nottingham School of Art. The article praises the picture and explains its importance to the history of Nottingham. The picture is also mentioned briefly in the same newspaper on 1 October 1869.

  Figures in 16th century costume on the battlements of a castle, a marine landscape beyond Oil on canvas. 1870.

24 × 18 inches.

Auction detail from Artinfo website: Figures in 16th century costume on the battlements of a castle, Paintings (1870) Dukes Auctioneers Oct 31, 2002 400 GBP.

St Peter's Gate in 1842 St Peter's Gate in 1842

Drawing. 1870.

Castle Museum, Nottingham.

Described in the text of Heather Williams's 1981 thesis. Used to hang in Nottingham Library.
Old Houses, St Peter's Gate, Nottingham, 1842 Old Houses, St Peter's Gate, Nottingham, 1842

Oil painting. 1870.

Collection: Nottingham City Museums and Galleries

The picture was painted in 1870 but recreates a scene imagined from 1842.

Included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr John T Goodwin. No 33 in catalogue.

Dimensions given as 61 × 50.8 cm.

Reproductions of this picture available from the Media Storehouse.

Reproduced on the BBC Your Paintings website.

  Scene from Henry IV 1873

Auction detail from Artinfo website: Scene from Henry IV, Paintings (1873) Auktionshaus Weidler Sep 14, 2002 520 EUR.

Reuben painted another picture with almost the same title. This is mentioned in an article in the Worcester Journal for 6 June 1868. It lists prizes for the 'Art Union of Great Britain'.. The third prize is "'Scene from King Henry IV' value 100 guineas, by Reuben Bussey ...and well bears out the reputation this rising artist has acquired ..."

Charles I raising his Standard at Nottingham Castle, August 22nd, 1642
Charles I raising his Standard at Nottingham Castle

(1) Charles I raising his Standard at Nottingham Castle, August 22nd, 1642

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(2) Charles I raising his Standard at Nottingham Castle

(1) Oil. 1874.

(2) Oil on canvas.
Date unknown.
University of Nottingham collection.

There are two pictures with almost the same title.

(1) 20.25 × 32 inches. ArtInfo website says sold Brightwells Apr 27, 2005 480 GBP.

(2) 120 × 100 cm. University of Nottingham collection. No date given. Reproduced as a larger image on the BBC Your Paintings website.

One of these is probably the same oil painting included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr Parker Woodward. No 49 in catalogue.

The Nottingham Evening Post for 20 May 1893 describes the local artists' exhibition that year. One of Bussey's pictures was included posthumously. It is the same subject: "...a powerful oil-painting (unfinished) by the late Mr Reuben Bussey, depicting the raising of the standard by Charles the First at Nottingham in front of the Norman Castle..." Does this refer to one of these pictures, or to yet another on the same subject?

The Armourer

The Armourer

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Oil on canvas. About 1874.

Private collection.

>

37.5 cm × 31.5cm. Signed 'R Bussey' in the lower RH corner. The picture does not carry a name or a date. It is known as 'The Armourer' to the present owners.

The painting was either bought by or given to the Rev Fred Binns who was minister of the St James Street Congregational Church in Nottingham between 1874 and 1878. He migrated to Australia in 1890 where he became a senior member of the Congregational Church. One of his sons, Kenneth Binns CBE became Australia's first National Librarian. The picture is still in Australia.

Bussey did at least one other picture on the same subject. 'Richard Bullyvant' exhibited in 1882 was said to show the town armourer in the time of James I. Then at Bussey's posthumous exhibition in 1894 the catalogue lists (with water colours and drawings): 'No. 65 - Bullivant the Town Armourer: the first man who smoked tobacco in Nottingham. Lent by Councillor J H Brown'.

Exmouth, South Devon

Exmouth, South Devon

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Oil on canvas. 1874.

Private collection.

Probably the same picture included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr John T Goodwin. No 18 in catalogue.
  Sir Richard Byron repelling a sortie from Nottingham Castle - Civil War 1643. Oil painting. 1875.

Included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr John T Goodwin. No 39 in catalogue.

Described in an article in the Nottingham Journal on 5 July 1875: '...in old Hounds Gate when the king's soldiers are repelling a sortie from the castle, then held by Colonel Hutchinson. The first Lord Byron is seen on horseback giving instructions to his troops...'.

  Falstaff and Prince Hal with their Friends at a Tavern 1875.

Sold at Christies 12 March 1965. 19.25 × 30.5 inches.

This picture is described in some detail in an article in the Nottingham Journal on 5 July 1875. The article also describes other pictures seen in Bussey's studio: (1) a civil war battle in Hounds Gate, Nottingham, (2) a landscape set at Birklands, (3) a sketch of Lady Macbeth, (4) sketches for a planned series of paintings on the history of Nottingham Castle.

  St Paul dictating his Epistle to the Romans AD 60. Oil painting. 1876. Included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr John T Goodwin. No 36 in catalogue.
Cellarman of the Olden Time. Ancient bottles of abbey wines returning from duty about 1296. Cellarman of the Olden Time. Ancient bottles of abbey wines returning from duty about 1296. Oil on canvas. 1877.

Inscribed, signed and dated 1877 verso.
60 × 47 cms.
Details from catalogue, Anthemion Auctions 21 July 2010.

  Scriptural subject: 'And Micaiah said: "What the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak."' Oil painting. 1878. Included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr W Herbert Smith. No 10 in catalogue.
Colwick Hall, August 20th 1485, Morning Colwick Hall, August 20th 1485, Morning

Watercolour drawing. 1878.

Castle Museum, Nottingham.

No. 76 in 1913 catalogue of Nottingham Castle Art Museum. Reg.No. 1909-70. Bequeathed by Mr J R Wild. Size 12.25 × 15.75 inches. Included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr J R Wild. No 61 in catalogue.
  Sketch for 'Colwick Hall', Sir John Byron and his Lady (Colwick Hall) watching the Raising of the Standard at the Castle, August 22 1485

Pen and ink drawing. 1878.

Castle Museum, Nottingham.

No. 77 in 1913 catalogue of Nottingham Castle Art Museum. Reg.No. 1909-71. Bequeathed by Mr J R Wild. Size 10 × 14.75 inches.
Clifton Hall, August 20th 1485, Afternoon Clifton Hall, August 20th 1485, Afternoon

Watercolour drawing. 1878.

Castle Museum, Nottingham.

No. 78 in 1913 catalogue of Nottingham Castle Art Museum. Reg.No. 1909-72. Bequeathed by Mr J R Wild. Size 12.25 × 15.75 inches. Included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr J R Wild. No 62 in catalogue.
  Sketch for 'Clifton Hall', Sir John Byron and Sir Jervais Clifton, The Oath at Clifton Hall, August 21 1485.

Pen and ink drawing. 1878.

Castle Museum, Nottingham.

No. 79 in 1913 catalogue of Nottingham Castle Art Museum. Reg.No. 1909-73. Bequeathed by Mr J R Wild. Size 9.75 × 14.5 inches.
Death of Sir Jervais Clifton, at Bosworth Field Death of Sir Jervais Clifton, at Bosworth Field

Watercolour drawing. 1878.

Castle Museum, Nottingham.

No. 80 in 1913 catalogue of Nottingham Castle Art Museum. Reg.No. 1909-74. Bequeathed by Mr J R Wild. Size 20.25 × 28.5 inches. Included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr J R Wild. No 63 in catalogue.
Caister, Norfolk

Caister, Norfolk

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Watercolour. 1879.

Private collection.

Approx 750 × 550 mm

May be similar to an oil painting titled 'The Coast, near Caister, Norfolk' included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mrs Reuben Bussey. No 12 in catalogue.

A Royal Proclamation at the Old Malt Cross, Great Market Place, Nottingham, 1478 A Royal Proclamation at the Old Malt Cross, Great Market Place, Nottingham, 1478

Oil on canvas. 1879.

Private collection.

One of the monochrome illustrations in Heather Williams's 1981 thesis. 20 × 32 inches. Auctioned at Neales, Nottingham on 27 April 2007. Description says 'Signed, dated 1879 and inscribed with title verso 49 cm × 80 cm'. Sold for 400 GBP.

The picture was one of three exhibited in 1879 in an exhibition for local artists at the Castle Museum. An article in the Nottinghamshire Guardian for 9 May 1879 complains about its use of colour which was not to the reviewer's taste.

  Great Council at Nottingham Castle, 1176 About 1879. The picture was one of three exhibited in 1879 in an exhibition for local artists at the Castle Museum. It is mentioned in an article in the Nottinghamshire Guardian for 9 May 1879. Like 'The Royal Proclamation' the reviewer complains about its use of colour.
  A Glade in Merrie Sherwood About 1879. The picture was one of three exhibited in 1879 in an exhibition for local artists at the Castle Museum. An article in the Nottinghamshire Guardian for 9 May 1879 considers it the 'best effort' of the three..
Landscape with Canal Lock Gates 1837 Landscape with Canal Lock Gates 1837

Oil on canvas. 1879.

Private collection.

One of the monochrome illustrations in Heather Williams's 1981 thesis. 20 × 32 inches. Sold at Neales of Nottingham in 1978.
  Drawings illustrating Nottingham Castle in the Olden Times. A series of at least 12 drawings. About 1880.

The drawings were mentioned as a future project in an article in the Nottingham Journal on 5 July 1875.

3 frames each with 4 drawings were included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr Albert Heymann. Nos 84-86 in catalogue.

See that catalogue for much detail.

  John Earl of Clare and Denzil Holles, his Son in St Mary's Church, Nottinghamshire Oil painting, 1880

27in. by 35in. Auctioned in 1994 by Heathcote Ball, UK.

  Our Saviour at the Well of Samaria. Oil painting. 1880. Included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mrs Reuben Bussey. Nos 8 in catalogue.
  On the Marsh, near Yarmouth Watercolour drawing. 1880. Listed in Nottingham Local Artists Exhibition catalogue for 1880.
  The Beach, Yarmouth Watercolour drawing. 1880. Listed in Nottingham Local Artists Exhibition catalogue for 1880.
The Master's Stick

The Master's Stick

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Sketch. About 1880.

From a bound volume 'Sketches' in private collection.

This is also the title of a watercolour drawing dated 1880 listed in Nottingham Local Artists Exhibition catalogue for 1880.

Richard I with mother in castle Richard I with mother in castle. Oil on canvas, titled, signed and dated verso 1880.

44cm × 60cm
Auction catalogue, estimate: 300-500 GBP. Devon and Cornwall Auctions

  Macbeth 1881. The picture was one of two exhibited in 1881 in an exhibition for local artists at the Castle Museum. It is mentioned in the Nottingham Evening Post for 2 May 1881 where the reviewer considers it the poorer of the pair.
  Sir John Falstaff and Bardolph. 1881. The picture was one of two exhibited in 1881 in an exhibition for local artists at the Castle Museum. It is mentioned in the Nottingham Evening Post for 2 May 1881 where the reviewer considers it the better of the pair.
  Richard Bullyvant 1882.

The picture was exhibited in 1882 in an 'Autumn Exhibition of Modern Pictures' at Nottingham. It is described in the Nottinghamshire Guardian for 15 September 1882. The picture shows the town armourer in the time of James I.

Bussey's obituary in the same paper on 4 March 1893 mentions a watercolour with a similar title, and possibly the same picture.

An Olden Time Dog Whipper and Sluggard Wakener An Olden Time Dog Whipper and Sluggard Wakener

Oil on canvas. 1882.

Private collection.

307.5 × 217.5 mm

According to Wikipedia "A dog whipper was a church official charged with removing unruly dogs from a church or church grounds during services". A sluggard wakener might have been somebody who woke those who fell asleep during services.

This is how the owner describes the painting: "a rather grim Dickensian figure, with whip and cane... is seated on a stool... with a flagstone floor and a large pillar, with some interesting woodwork in the background. A leather-bound book, probably the bible, sits alongside him .... The painters signature is neatly framed by one of the flagstones. It is not a large picture."

Included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr John T Goodwin. No 15 in catalogue.

  Richard III leaving Nottingham Castle for Bosworth Field, August 21st 1485. Oil painting. 1882. Included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mrs C L Davis. No 30 in catalogue.
Morning on the Coast near Hastings

Morning on the Coast near Hastings

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Oil on canvas. 1882.

Private collection.

450 mm × 593 mm. Probably the same oil painting included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr John T Goodwin. No 32 in catalogue.
Staunton Mill Staunton Mill

Oil on canvas. 1882.

Private collection.

13 inches × 9 inches.

Bussey probably painted the mill at Staunton-in-the-Vale, Nottinghamshire. An article on the Nottinghamshire History website tells us at the time of the Domesday Book, in Staunton 'there was a priest and a church and a mill. The mill, which stood near the junction of the two streams, Devon and Winterbeck, has passed entirely away, but the church still survives.'

Landing Fish on the Beach, Great Yarmouth

Landing Fish on the Beach, Great Yarmouth

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From a leather bound notebook 'Pen & Ink Sketches by Reuben Bussey 1882' in a private collection. Most of the sketches were done in Great Yarmouth.  
Scotch Fishermen Reading the Bible, Trinity Chapel, Great Yarmouth, Oct 8 1882

Scotch Fishermen Reading the Bible, Trinity Chapel, Great Yarmouth, Oct 8 1882

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From a leather bound notebook 'Pen & Ink Sketches by Reuben Bussey 1882' in a private collection. Most of the sketches were done in Great Yarmouth.  
Beach men, Great Yarmouth, 1882

Beach men, Great Yarmouth, 1882

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From a leather bound notebook 'Pen & Ink Sketches by Reuben Bussey 1882' in a private collection. Most of the sketches were done in Great Yarmouth.  
Beach men, Great Yarmouth

Beach men, Great Yarmouth

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From a leather bound notebook 'Pen & Ink Sketches by Reuben Bussey 1882' in a private collection. Most of the sketches were done in Great Yarmouth.  
South East Tower, Great Yarmouth

South East Tower, Great Yarmouth

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Watercolour. 1882.

Private collection.

Approx 310 × 205 mm. There is also a sketch for this picture.
Near Caister, Norfolk

Near Caister, Norfolk

Oil on earthenware plate. Dated 31 May 1883.

Private collection.

The date is the birthday of Polly Derry and the picture may have been given to her.
  Church Walk, St Peters Gate about 1700

Sepia drawing. 1884.

Nottingham Local Studies Library.

The names 'Bussey' and 'Tantum' appear on shop fronts in the picture, although it unlikely any Busseys were living in Nottingham in 1700. Described in the text of Heather Williams's 1981 thesis.
Untitled but appears to show the main gate to Nottingham Castle.

Watercolour. 1884.

In private collection.

Auctioned at Nottingham in 2012.

Signed and dated in bottom left.

MacBeth and Lady MacBeth MacBeth and Lady MacBeth Pair of oval portraits on single canvas, signed, 1884.

Each portrait 10.5in × 8in. Auctioned by David Duggleby, Scarborough, UK in 2001. Inscribed signed and dated 1884.. May have been sold again in 2011.

  The Weird Sisters 1884 This is one of two pictures by Bussey exhibited at the Nottingham Castle Museum in 1884. It is described in the Nottinghamshire Guardian for 16 May 1884. "...the three witches in Macbeth. They are 'secret, black and midnight hags' in very truth; ugly enough to frighten ..."
>Near Somerleyton

Near Somerleyton

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Sketch. Probably 1880s.

From a bound volume 'Sketches' in private collection.

The location is uncertain. The inscription appears to say 'Nr Simerleyton, Surrey' but it is probably Somerleyton in Suffolk.
Old Jerry the grave digger at St Peters 60 years ago

Old Jerry the grave digger at St Peters 60 years ago.

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Sketch. Probably 1880s.

From a bound volume 'Sketches' in private collection.

A childhood recollection of St Peters churchyard close to where Reuben grew up in Nottingham.
Lucy Milward - 'What dost thou want, Reuben?'

Lucy Milward - 'What dost thou want, Reuben?'

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Sketch. Probably 1880s.

From a bound volume 'Sketches' in private collection.

Another childhood memory of a visit to a shop.

On the 1851 census Lucy Milward is a widow living in Nottingham St Peter. She was a tallow chandler born about 1790 in Loughborough.

My dear friend was sick - I visited him

My dear friend was sick - I visited him.

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Sketch. Dated 28 January 1886.

From a bound volume 'Sketches' in private collection.

The sick friend in the picture may be Joseph Derry the printer.
Prospero and Miranda - The Tempest, act 1 scene 2

Prospero and Miranda - The Tempest, act 1 scene 2

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Sketch. About 1886.

From a bound volume 'Sketches' in private collection.

Approaching old age, Reuben is illustrating Shakespeare's last play. Reuben had no children but the father-daughter relationship of Prospero and Miranda may have reminded Reuben of his relationship with Polly, now a young woman.

This may be one of two pictures exhibited at the Nottingham Castle Museum in 1884. It is described in the Nottinghamshire Guardian for 16 May 1884. "In monochrome is dainty..."

Prospero and Miranda - The Tempest, act 1 scene 2

Prospero and Miranda - The Tempest, act 1 scene 2

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Oil on earthenware plate. 1886.

Private collection.

Although the title and subject are the same as the sketch, the expressions are quite different. The carefree Miranda of the sketch has become the dutiful and attentive daughter.

Launce and his Dog - Two Gentlemen of Verona, act 4 scene 3

Launce and his Dog - Two Gentlemen of Verona, act 4 scene 3

Oil on earthenware plate. 1886.

Private collection.

Reuben's pictures often have dogs - here the dog steals the scene.

Written on the sketch for the painting is the quotation is "O,tis a foul thing when a cur cannot keep himself in all companies!". In this scene, Launce names his dog as Crab. Launce was servant to Proteus, one of the Two Gentlemen.

  The Cauldron Scene 1887 This is one of several pictures by Bussey in the local artists exhibition at Nottingham Castle Museum in 1887. It is described in the Nottinghamshire Guardian for 20 May 1887. "...Hecate and the witches are making their 'hell-broth'. ...lurid lights and deep shadows..."
For sale

For sale

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Sketch. Dated '1888 at 70'.

From a bound volume 'Sketches' in private collection.

This comic fantasy appears to show Reuben selling his pictures on the street. It hints at a fear of old age and poverty.
Self portrait

Self portrait

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Oil on wood. Probably 1880s.

Private collection.

The last known self portrait. Reuben also appears in several photographs about this time.

The picture was once in the possession of Gladys Pentecost, great niece of Reuben's wife Elizabeth.

The Rat Catcher The Rat Catcher

Oil painting 1890.

Private collection.

395 × 295 mm

Included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mr John T Goodwin. No 44 in catalogue, given the title 'The Rat Catchers'. The title on the back of the picture is 'The Rat Catcher'.

  Going To The Fair, Travellers with their carts, animals and dogs Oil. 1890.

13in × 16.5in. Details from Neales of Nottingham auction catalogue 19 July 2002.

May be the same oil painting titled 'Going to the Fair' included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mrs Reuben Bussey. No 16 in catalogue.

Farmyard Scene, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire Farmyard Scene, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire

Oil on canvas, 1892.

Collection: Nottingham Central Library

33 × 43 cm.

Reproduced on the BBC Your Paintings website.

Reuben died 1 March 1893 at Nottingham.
It has not been possible to date the pictures listed below.
On the Dart

On the Dart

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Oil on canvas.

Private collection.

Approx 660 × 460 mm.
Near Budby, Sherwood Forest, Notts.

Near Budby, Sherwood Forest, Notts.

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Oil on canvas.

Private collection.

Approx 500 × 240 mm.
(Unknown - fenland scene)

(Unknown - fenland scene)

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Oil on canvas.

Private collection.

250 × 500 mm approx.
Untitled drawing Untitled.

Drawing.

Private collection,

The man in armour suggests a medieval subject probably with some connection with the history of Nottingham

300 × 200 mm approx.

The Arrest of Roger Mortimer, Earl of March, at Nottingham Castle. October 17 1330 The Arrest of Roger Mortimer, Earl of March, at Nottingham Castle. October 17 1330.

Oil on canvas.

Private collection.

One of the monochrome illustrations in Heather Williams's 1981 thesis. Original 30 × 24.75 inches.

Williams's notes Bussey painted several versions of this scene. A drawing with the same title was included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894. No 84/7 in catalogue.

Old Nottingham, a street scene Old Nottingham, a street scene  

Sold at Neales of Nottingham auction February 2005, 36.5 × 30.5 cm.

The street is probably St Peter's Gate looking towards Bridlesmith Gate. Note there are several features in common with 'Street scene in Nottingham' painted in the 1860s (see above) including the three posts at the end of St Peter's Church Walk.

Self portrait Self portrait Private collection.  
  Sherwood Forest in the olden times Oil painting. Included in the 'Special Exhibition of works by Reuben Bussey' at the Castle Museum, February 1894, lent at that time by Mrs Reuben Bussey. No 13 in catalogue.
  Coastal Scene with fishermen and boats Oil on canvas Signed. 48cm × 78cm. Auctioned by Hampton and Littlewood, UK, 2008.
  Sherwood Forest, King Richard I with Robin Hood and others   Auction detail from Artinfo website: Sherwood Forest, King Richard I with Robin Hood and others, Paintings Neales Jul 18, 2002 370 GBP.
  Water Mill Private collection. Shows a mill with mill wheel and stream. A figure stands on the left. This is a different mill from Staunton Mill in the 1882 picture.
English scene English scene Private collection.  
Photographs
Photographs of Reuben Bussey

Photographs of Reuben Bussey

Click on the image to view the photographs.

   

See also the Catalogue of the 1894 Special Exhibition (download this as a pdf file 3.5MB).