Frank Hobden

A painter of national repute

Frank Hobden was born in 1859 and by the time of the 1911 census was living at Whitecot (now 218), High Road, South Benfleet. He was still there in 1914 according to Kelly’s Directory of Essex, but by 1922 had moved to Rosebank (now 251) Vicarage Hill, where he lived with his brother until Henry Fuller’s death in 1935. Frank was to die one year later in 1936.

The Watercolour of the 15th century church porch was presented to the Benfleet and District Historical Society by The Rev. Canon C J Gardner in 1991. It had been given to the donor’s father, The Rev. Ralph Gardner, vicar of South Benfleet from 1927 to 1942 by the artist. It is reproduced on this website with the kind permission of the Benfleet and District Historical Society.

Frank Hobden was a painter of national repute with 104 paintings accepted by the British Academy and 10 by the Royal Academy. He made South Benfleet and its locality the subject of a number of landscapes including an oil entitled “Barges at the Ferry, Benfleet-Canvey”.

Should anyone have pictures of his depicting local scenes, we would love to take a digital image to add to this website.

Val Self (nee Sewell) writes that her mother’s family were friends of his and were subsequent owners of Rosebank.  Val believes that all of his works were signed in the bottom left hand corner, but I am not convinced – Sorry Val!  Following her mother’s death in 1999, the family sold several pictures and letters to William Etty, a fellow artist

Tribute To Him

In 1937 the Reverend S. Gordon Wilson wrote in the Parish Magazine :-

“Few people of the present generation remember the above-named resident, whose mortal remains were laid to rest on November 13th last. For many years he had been crippled with rheumatism and his passing was a merciful release. He came of a distinguished family which included Sir John Franklin, D.C.L., the famous explorer. A life-long artist, Frank Hobden exhibited pictures every year in the Royal Academy and was a member of the Royal Society of British Artists. He was particularly able to portray Greek classical scenes of figures and marble edifices, somewhat in the manner of the late Sir Laurence Alma Tadema, R.A.”

“For many years Frank Hobden was a teacher of portrait painting in a famous London College of Art. The late gentleman was unmarried and was in his 78th year. His brother, Henry Fuller Hobden, who is also buried in our churchyard, was an editor, and for over 40 years one of the best known contributors to the Boys Own Paper. The Hobdens removed to Benfleet about 35 years ago in order to be adjacent to the friend of their schooldays, the late Dr S. Gordon Smith, formerly Medical Officer for Barnsbury, Islington.  All alike were keen yachtsmen in the days when Benfleet was literally a village.”

Please note that he did not exhibit every year at the Royal Academy….all in all 10 pictures are listed.

We have also come across several pictures, which are unsigned but believed to be by him.  They are oil paintings on hardboard and are quite unlike the 2 watercolours featured on the site.  A selection has been added to the site, courtesy of Frances Drewe and Gillian Stolwood. Please click any of them to see a larger version and description.

The painting Dawn (location unknown) is reproduced courtesy of Kevin Kasik the owner of the painting.  The back of the painting is inscribed ‘Dawn  1885  4.30 a.m.

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  • I bought a small piece believed to be by Frank Hobden. It does have many similarities to the dawn piece on this site. If only i could upload it!

    Editors Note: Arthur, if you are able to send a photo to our gmail address (benfleethistory@gmail.com) we would be interested to see it and could possibly add it to our article.

    By Arthur (30/12/2022)
  • Hi, I have two watercolours by Frank Hobden, each is a scene from Benfleet creek, I shall attempt to send photo’s of them.

    Regards Dennis.

    By Dennis Jones (26/05/2015)
  • Attn of Mark Thres – Hi Mark – Re your above comments in relation to my information about Frank Hobden – the best place for you to verify regarding his signature is Phillips Auction House London who sold some of his paintings on my behalf following the death of my mother in 1999.

    By Val Self (30/06/2014)
  • I love his paintings and also own an original signed watercolour entitled Twilight Dreams.

    By Lesley (03/10/2013)
  • Great page. I have seen a work of Mr Hobden’s which was said to be circa 1880. I now know this to be impossible (unless he was the Mozart of Victorian art).

    By Edward Rountree (15/07/2013)
  • Sylvia – many thanks for your email. I am guessing that to have 9 watercolours, you must be a collector or your families knew each other. If the former I admire your taste. If the latter I admire your good fortune. Is there a Benfleet connection ? If any of the watercolours are of the Benfleet area we would love to reproduce them on our website. Do let me know – I am intrigued. 

    P.S. Strangely enough a leading light in a sister archive in Billericay is a Sylvia Kent…

    By Mark Thres (03/02/2012)
  • We have 9 watercolors by Frank Hobden painted in the early 1900’s. These now live in Australia.

    By Sylvia Kent (02/02/2012)

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