Born in 1794 and originally a painter and decorator in Portsmouth, Henry Buchan moved to Southampton in 1823 to open up a similar business at 46 High Street. He continued as a painter and decorator but also sold picture frames, paints and other artists’ materials. In 1827 he opened, at 159 High Street, the Hampshire Picture Gallery where he offered local artists the use of well-lit spacious rooms to display their works. Buchan secured patronage and funding for his gallery from members of the Hampshire nobility, for whom he worked as a painter and decorator, and from charging a subscription to regular patrons.
He later developed a business as a builder, and worked on the creation of the Banister Park estate. He was also involved with the growth of the Docks. He was a Liberal councillor.
Henry and family lived in Orchard Place in the 1840s, then in Cranbury Place, and then at Wilton House in Bedford Place.
After Henry’s death in 1865, his son Henry Joseph continued management of the gallery and of his father's business enterprises. Henry Joseph also continued his father's civic interests as a councillor and as mayor.
Henry Buchan
Photograph from 1860, when Buchan was aged 66.
see also
Newspaper clippings (available online or from the Local Studies Library):
The late Mr. H. J. Buchan, of Southampton - (Hampshire Independent 11/07/1891)
"Family business" - (SEE 15/03/1985). useful article about Buchan's business interests and involvement with civic enterprise. Briefly describes the careers of his son and grandson.
Further reading:
The Shayer Family of Painters, by Brian Stewart and Mervyn Cutten, p9-12. (HS/q)
The Rise of English Provincial Art, by Trevor Fawcett, p191-2. (709.034)
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