British artists' suppliers, 1650-1950 - U

A selective directory, to be revised regularly, 1st edition 2006, 2nd edition 2008, 3rd edition October 2011 (*revised entry, **new entry). Contributions and corrections are welcome, to Jacob Simon at jsimon@npg.org.uk.

Resources and bibliography Introduction

William Urquhart, 138 St Albans Place, London (also known as 138 Edgware Road) 1861 and again 1867-1868, road renumbered 1868, 327 Edgware Road 1868-1908, 7 Church St, Paddington (adjoining Edgware Road) 1867-1870, street renumbered 1870/71, 155 Church St 1871, 153 Church St 1872-1887, 133 Church St 1888-1908 and later, also at Hall Place, Paddington Green 1884-1888, 157 High St, Notting Hill Gate 1884-1908 and later. Varnish and colour manufacturer; artists' colourman from 1890; varnish manufacturer from 1909.

Francis Tuck, or in one instance, his wife, Sarah Tuck, was listed at 138 St Albans Place, Edgware Road as an oil and colour warehouse as early as 1851, continuing until 1866; he had an account with Roberson from November 1863 until December 1865, being recorded as 'Successor to Urquhart' (Woodcock 1997). William Urquhart was his apprentice, according to the 1851 census, and married his master’s daughter, Emily, in 1859. He was listed at 138 St Albans Place in the 1861 census as Colourman, age 27, wife Emily age 26, son Frank William age 7 months, employing 3 men, but then disappears from view until May 1866 when he featured at 138 Edgware Road with an account with Roberson (Woodcock 1997). He was again listed at this address as varnish and colour works in the 1867 Post Office directory, also appearing as an oilman close by at 7 Church St, Paddington. He was not listed as an artists’ colourman until 1890. The business had three shops in West London and accounts with Roberson from 138 Edgware Road, 1866, and from 157 High St, Notting Hill Gate, 1892-1908 (Woodcock 1997).

Urquhart can be found in the 1881 census living at 107 Portsdown Road, described as a varnish dealer, employing five hands. His son, Frank, was listed in the 1901 census as colour and varnish merchant, age 40, living with his family at 15 Royal Crescent, Kensington. The watercolour artist, Alfred William Hunt, used two sketchbooks in 1892 supplied by Urquhart (Ashmolean Museum, see Newall 2004 p.177). A canvas mark has been recorded on a painting dated 1908 (information from Cathy Proudlove). From 1909 the business was listed as a varnish manufacturer in Church St and Notting Hill Gate, and from 1932 until at least 1940 as W. Urquhart Ltd, decorators' merchants.

Found a mistake? Have some extra information? Please contact Jacob Simon at jsimon@npg.org.uk.