Joseph Nicholson Johnston
Brympton House, Brympton D’Evercy, Somerset
The Painting
A watercolour measuring 8½" x 13". Signed J. Nicholson Johnston, dated 1908 and inscribed
“Brympton”.
About the Artist
Joseph Nicholson Johnston ARIBA (1860-1942) was a Yeovil architect. He was articled
for four years to Sir Ernest George (1839-1922), President of the Royal Institute
of British Architects and a well-known watercolorist. In 1895 Johnston established
his own architectural practice at 21 Prince’s Street, Yeovil, Somerset. He designed
many buildings in the town, including the Church of St Michael and All Angels and
houses in the park. Johnston also studied at the Royal Academy and exhibited at the
Royal Academy Exhibition in 1907.
The Subject
Brympton House, Brympton D’Evercy, Somerset. Brympton is a Grade I-listed country
house which dates mostly from the 15th-17th centuries. It now serves also as a wedding
venue and film/TV location. The painting depicts the west front of Brympton House
on the left, with the Dower House in the centre, and the parish church of St Andrew
on the right, with its battlemented chapel. To the forefront of the painting are
the walls and gateway enclosing the west forecourt of Brympton House.
