A label on the reverse reads: ‘Old Common Room, Winchester College, painted by Charles Gogin (1844-1930) in 1876, purchased by Colonel Sir Frank Watney when Charles Gogin died’. There is another faded and largely illegible inscription on the reverse – apparently recording that the painting was given as a gift to the Headmaster (Spencer Leeson) at Christmas 1942.

Frank Dormay Watney (1870-1965) was educated at Winchester. He became a solicitor before entering the army in 1889 and serving in WWI. In 1896 he married Margaret Richardson, daughter of George Richardson (Second Master).

Provenance: Estate of the artist, from whence purchased by Colonel Sir Frank Watney, c. 1930, by whom presented to Spencer Leeson (Headmaster, 1934-1946), later given to Winchester College

Location: Archives (U/98)