St Mary’s Church, Climping

This south-east view of St Mary’s Church at Climping, West Sussex (also known as Clymping) is dated 1853 in the lower right corner.

There is some confusion about the exact date of the painting, however, as on the reverse side is written the note “Clymping Church Sussex 1893”. Further research is required to establish which of the two dates ascribed to the painting is accurate.

The painting is listed in George’s catalogue on page twelve, the third painting under the entry for Climping Church. In the catalogue, George describes Climping Church as:

… [a] large and deeply interesting Church is Cruciform, with South aisle and porch, and a low, square Norman tower at the extremity of the South transept. The chancel and nave are Early English, and a low side window on the South wall of the chancel exists. The tower has a good Norman door, and above it a narrow window, with zig-zag ornament on the sides and carried over both ends. The same arrangement will be found in the window of the South transept of Old Shoreham Church.

There are six studies of Climping Church listed in the catalogue, including detailed studies of the church chest and wood carvings. The other five paintings are yet to be located.

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