The museum has over 1400 paintings, prints and drawings, most of which are not on public display.
Local Topography
The majority of the pictures in the art collection are of local scenes across the Borough. These mainly date from the 19th century and capture a time when much of the area was rural in character. The museum holds works of art by well-known landscape artists such as Alfred Fontville de Breanski (snr) and James Bourne. Popular locations in the collection include Sparkes’ Cottages, a medieval farmhouse that stood on Mason’s Hill, Bromley until it was demolished in 1877.
Local Artists
The museum holds a variety of works by local artists. We have a large collection of sketches by Vincent New, who was commissioned by the Kentish Times to draw scenes across the area in the 1930s. There are watercolours and prints by Amelia Long, Lady Farnborough, who lived at Bromley Hill from 1801 to 1837. The museum also has a selection of sculptures and paintings produced by the March family - well known for setting up a bronze foundry at their home in Locksbottom.
Bromley Visual Resource
This collection was built up by Bromley Education Department in the 1970s as a teaching resource for schools. It includes prints and original oils dating from the 1960s and 1970s, but very little of the material is of local relevance. Items can still be borrowed on request by schools, although a large proportion of the collection is currently on display at the Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough.
The Bull Panels
This group of wooden wall panels were found during the demolition of Skilton and Isards shop in the Market Square, Bromley in 1958. The are decorated with twenty oil paintings of seascapes and landscapes, including one of Edinburgh Castle. They originally adorned the walls of the building when it was Bull Inn during the 18th century.
Contacts
Telephone: 01689 873826
e-mail: bromley.museum@bromley.gov.uk
Address: Bromley Museum, The Priory, Church Hill, Orpington, BR6 0HH