Frederick Waters Watts 1800-1862

The Hospital of St Cross was founded in the 1130s by Bishop Henry of Blois for 'thirteen poor men, feeble and so reduced in strength that they can scarcely or not at all support themselves without other aid'.  The Hospital was run by the Knights of St John, and the Brothers of this foundation still wear black robes depicting the Jerusalem Cross.  The present brothers have their appartments in one wing of the quadrangle, the gable end of which is visible to the left of the composition.  Watts travelled in the Winchester area during the 1840s and painted A View of Winchester Cathedral and St Catherine's Hill dated 1843, and A View of Winchester Cathedral dated 1847, both of which were sold in these rooms on 11th July 1990.