Collection of dozens of artworks by famous North East artists fetches £16k

A collection of more than 40 artworks by North East artists Robert and Isabella ‘Isa’ Jobling has fetched £16,000 at auction.

The single-owner collection, one of the largest private holdings of the Joblings’ works in recent years, was sold by Anderson and Garland.

Included in the collection were 10 rare paintings by Isa Jobling, whose works are seldom seen at auction.

(Image: Anderson & Garland)

Robert Jobling, born in Newcastle, was a significant figure in the late 19th-century Tyneside art scene.

He studied at the Newcastle School of Art while working at his father’s glassworks, later gaining fame for his marine and coastal landscapes.

His paintings were displayed at the Royal Academy and the Royal Society of British Artists in London, but he always had a strong following in the North East.

(Image: Anderson & Garland)

He was integral to the region’s artistic community, contributing to the development of societies such as the Bewick Club and the Borough of Tynemouth Art Club.

Jobling is most closely associated with the Cullercoats artist colony, a lively centre for plein-air painting, and later with the Staithes Group.

Together with figures such as Henry Emmerson and American painter Winslow Homer, he helped transform Cullercoats into a key artistic hub.

(Image: Anderson & Garland)

The Newcastle Daily Journal observed in 1890: “Mr Jobling has made Cullercoats famous for his canvases, and by-the-by he will be famous for overrunning the village with tourists.”

Isa Jobling was a skilled artist in her own right.

She was born in Newcastle and educated at the Newcastle Government School of Design before continuing her studies in Paris.

She exhibited at the Royal Academy, the Royal Scottish Academy, and with the Royal Society of British Artists.

(Image: Anderson & Garland)

After marrying Robert in 1893, she continued to exhibit under her married name, although her earlier works bear the signature ‘Isa Thompson’.

She, too, maintained strong links with the Cullercoats and Staithes artist colonies.

The collection has an interesting provenance.

Anderson and Garland auctioneer, Georgian Norman, said: “The grandfather of our vendor emigrated to Canada from Newcastle in the early 20th century.

“Before he left, he purchased works directly from Robert Jobling’s studio to take with him as a reminder of home.

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“The collection includes paintings by both Robert and Isa.

“Isa’s works are particularly scarce, as she largely ceased painting after starting a family.

“It’s incredibly rare to see so many of her paintings together.”