Edward Hawke Locker (1777–1849) enjoyed a long career as an administrator in the Royal Navy, latterly working as commissioner to the Royal Naval Hospital at Greenwich, where he organised the Naval Gallery, which later became the National Maritime Museum. Locker’s collection of watercolours included two fine works by Girtin, Durham Cathedral and Castle, from the River Wear (TG1075) and Rievaulx Abbey (TG1056). Locker painted a good copy of the latter in 1802 (see TG1056 figure 1), suggesting that he acquired the watercolour during the artist’s lifetime. Such is the quality of his work that it is possible that he received lessons from Girtin.

1796 - 1797

Durham Cathedral and Castle, from the River Wear

TG1075

(?) 1798

Rievaulx Abbey

TG1056

(?) 1798

Rievaulx Abbey

TG1056