The Painting
A watercolour highlighted with bodycolour and measuring 23½” x 35¾”. Signed J. H. Barnes. The ornate frame was made by S. Barnsley, carvers and gilders, Fine Art Gallery, 100 Fargate, Sheffield.

About the Artist
Joseph H. Barnes (fl. 1867-1887) was a London painter of genre who exhibited at the Royal Academy, Royal Society of British Artists in Suffolk Street, New Watercolour Society and elsewhere. His address in 1884 was 28 Shaftsbury Road, Hammersmith, London. 

The Subject
The Village Wedding. A painting of this title by Joseph Barnes was exhibited in 1884 at the Royal Society of British Artists (No. 664) and sold for £100. The scene is a rustic village wedding in a medieval parish church. The wedding guests’ clothes are as old-fashioned as the fittings in the church, which has retained its Georgian box pews.