Fountain Hotel West Cowes

The Brannon lithograph depicting ‘The Fountain Hotel West Cowes’ showcases a historical establishment that originated in the 19th century and is accessible for visitation in the present era. The depicted scene showcases East Cowes Castle situated atop a hill in the background. In the foreground, flanking Fountain Pier, two paddle steamers are visible, one in its entirety and the other only revealing its smoke stack. Notably, a significant number of individuals approximately 120 odd are also portrayed, rendering this engraving by Brannon as one of his most densely populated works.

Brannon Family

Little is known about the early years of George Brannon. His family was presumably forced to relocate to London, where George’s father began working as a shoemaker. George, on the other hand, was fortunate enough to obtain an apprenticeship as a printer, where he reportedly excelled at everything he attempted, taking to it like a dove to water. He continued his education and became proficient in Latin and Greek, as well as pen-and-ink illustrations and architectural design.

He was married on March 17, 1812 in Alverstoke, close to Gosport. George was almost entirely self-educated but became one of the most prominent engravers of his time. In an obituary (probably written by his son Philip), it is stated that in his early years as an artist, he displayed remarkable awareness and skill, learning from the masters as his apprenticeship progressed. He went on to become an accomplished artist in both water and oil as well as an architect with a keen eye for design.

Within the subsequent years, nine new members were added to the Brannon family. This was reasonably common in those days, despite the fact that only six actually reached adulthood. Their two most well-known offspring were Alfred and Philip, who both followed in their father’s footsteps by becoming renowned artists, engravers, architects, civil engineers, and inventors.

The precise date of the families’ move to the island is undocumented, but publications from 1831 indicate that they had been there for approximately 18 to 20 years.1831 Vectis Scenery, which was researched by Raymond Turley, is an example of a publication that indicates this to be true.

Thus, it is believed that they moved to the island in 1809 and settled in Landscape Cottage on Wotton Common. Here he began his life’s work, engraving and publishing the beautiful depictions of the island that we are so familiar with today.

As evidenced by the 1824 and 1826 editions of Vectis Scenery, the family business was well-established by 1824, and the artist had obtained a style and realism that elevated his technique to that of the masters he had studied.

George Brannon, at the age of 83, retired. He then dabbled in publishing and speculative construction, in addition to fervently advocating for the passage of the Reform Bill. In addition, he occasionally drew a couple of engravings. He passed away on March 23, 1860.

Alfred and Philip both continued to operate the business. Philip went on to become an inventor, but fell on bad times several times in the years that followed.George’s descendant went on to become one of the founding members of the still-operating Isle of Wight County Press.

• Fountain Hotel West Cowes – Brannon
  

• The Project Gutenberg eBook, Brannon’s Picture of The Isle of Wight, by George Brannon