A. Vincent, Son and Grandsons

This picture is a family portrait commissioned by Alfred "Gaffer" Vincent who was related to the Eurich family on Mavis's side and lived not far away from them in Milford on Sea. 

Look out for the train, the tram and the woman and basket from a different time. See the detail images below.

3 February 1948

[Old Mr Vincent] wants me to paint a picture for the family with some of them (very small) in it. Rather a good idea. So we decided on £100 with frame extra. This will certainly come in very nicely if we are hard up in a year’s time.

5 May 1949

At work on commission by old Mr Vincent, a dock scene which is also to contain small portraits of himself, Ben Vincent and sons.

In a reply to the arrival of a cheque and a thank you note from Alfred Vincent, Richard reveals that he was also pleased with the painting. He proposes to submit it to the next Royal Academy summer show and to have it photographed for possible publication in the Royal Academy Illustrated catalogue.

13th Sept: 1949

Dear Mr Vincent

Thank you very much for your cheque for £100 - 9 - 9 and for your letter. I am very glad indeed that the painting meets with approval.  

I found the portrait part very difficult and straining to the eyes. …

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In a reply to the arrival of a cheque and a thank you note from Alfred Vincent, Richard reveals that he was also pleased with the painting. He proposes to submit it to the next Royal Academy summer show and to have it photographed for possible publication in the Royal Academy Illustrated catalogue.

13th Sept: 1949

Dear Mr Vincent

Thank you very much for your cheque for £100 - 9 - 9 and for your letter. I am very glad indeed that the painting meets with approval.  

I found the portrait part very difficult and straining to the eyes. The trouble is to get them to sit in the painting and scheme without jumping out but keeping the same feeling all over. It is not easy to explain these things to a layman - But I just took the whole thing as far as I could and stopped when I felt I should only be doodling if I did any more and probably ruin it. 

I would very much like the picture to go to the RA next year and I would get it photographed in London by the firm who do the job for the "Royal Academy Illustrated" and then it will stand a good chance of setting into that catalogue and possibly other papers.

All this would be next March - we will come over and see you sometime soon, though I am now getting more tied up as I am going to teach in London two day a week.

I had the frame specially carved by my framers in London. It suits the painting very well. I must say I am glad that one of my best efforts will be in good hands. Some works just vanish into the blue as far as I am concerned and I don't know anything of their owners. We all send our very kind regards to you both. 

Yours sincerely

Richard Eurich.