Castle Lane, Swansea c.1887 - Alfred Parkman
Theme : Art and Culture

This watercolour of Castle Lane, Swansea, dated 1887, by Bristol-born artist, Alfred Parkman (1852-1931) bears comparison with another view of the Lane painted by William Butler in 1850 (also on this site). Despite the passing of more than a quarter of a century between these works, the narrow thoroughfare joining the Strand to Castle Bailey Street, winding uphill past the town's medieval castle, can still be seen to be a busy walkway, but safer, thanks to the provision of pavements and street lighting. Topographical views of Swansea, the Gower coast and small-scale street scenes were popular themes in Parkman's work even before he moved to the area from the south-west of England. He lived in West Cross near Mumbles which at that time was a popular area for artists. Parkman, who had trained as an architect, was said to be a prolific artist. Local folk-lore recounts that he paid many of his household bills with paintings.

This Item is located at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in the Permanent Collection