T.C. Gotch: Notable Years

"The Child Enthroned"

"At the Academy of 1894 T.C. Gotch's 'The Child Enthroned' found many who loved it. Small wonder when one comes face to face with this serious child of the unclouded brow and the fair unadorned hair, clad in so glorious a robe, and with aureole about her head. 

"The Child in the World"

You meet her again in 'The Child in the World,' standing alone and unafraid in the innermost, horridest home of the Dragon, called the World, who is powerless against her innocence, as the lions in the presence of Daniel. 

"Death, the Bride"

In 'Death, the Bride,' of 1893, Mr. Gotch struck a deeper note. Silent is this friend, yet she speaks. She comes gliding through the poppies, emblems of rest without tears, a film of gauze about her head, which she lifts aside to show her grave face, a whisper of invitation upon it, as if she would say, 'I am a little serious, I know, and my clothes are not bright and beautiful like a bride's; but I am your friend nevertheless, and when you are ready for me you will find me ready for you.'

"Alleluia"

These pictures were heralds of the important work 'Alleluia,' which was purchased by the Trustees of the Changrey Bequest. As the meaning is plain, no description is necessary. It was painted at Newlyn, and occupied Mr. Gotch, working six and seven hours a day, for the best part of a year. Almost every eastern and western nation is represented in the rainbow robes which clothe the children. Thirteen in number, the face of each singer bearing the impress of her temperament, tney vie one with another in a song of praise.

1896 has been Mr. Gotch's Notable Year. Early in May he learnt that 'Alleluia' had been purchased for the nation. Towards the end of that month he went to Paris, to find 'The Child Enthroned' well hung upon the line at the Champs Elysees Salon. The second morning of his sojourn there he was notified from London that this picture had been purchased for an English collection, and hardly had he returned from Paris when he read in a London evening paper that the gold medal of the second class had been awarded to the painter of 'The Child Enthroned' by the Salon jury. A notable year indeed has 1896 been for Mr. Gotch.

(Excerpts from "T.C. Gotch and His Pictures" by Lewis Hind in "The Windsor Magazine.")