Welcome to this website
I am a professional artist living and working in North Yorkshire. I have previously lived in Newcastle and Wiltshire. This website is intended as a showcase for my work, past and present, and to offer for sale those pictures that are currently available.
I have been a full-time artist since 1972, apart from a brief spell teaching part time as well as painting. My work has been varied, but now consists primarily of landscapes and paintings of buildings, often historic buildings in their landscape setting. I have an abiding interest in old buildings and in the history of the landscape, and for twenty years I did voluntary work with building preservation trusts in the south-west of England.
Although I previously worked extensively on commission, and made book illustrations, I now concentrate solely on subjects of my own choosing.
Thank you for visiting the website.
Edward Dowden
Past and Present Work
Historic Buildings
Subject Matter
I have been enthusiastic about castles from the age of ten. This enthusiasm subsequently expanded to include all historic buildings, their landscape settings, and eventually pure landscape. Despite a lifetime of looking at old buildings, I still find it difficult to explain why they give me such pleasure. There are the more obvious factors, such as that the buildings were made by people long before I was born, will still be here long after I am dead, and this gives a strong sense of continuity.
The patina of age is also very attractive - the weathering of materials, such as the growth of lichens on stone, and the softening effect that this has on the original structure, but there is something else, something intangible, and it is this that I try to convey in my paintings. I try to show what it felt like being there. Only viewers of the pictures will be able to tell whether I have succeeded.
It has been said that buildings only look at their best once they are ruined. This seems an odd idea but I think it may be right, although I do not fully understand why. An enthusiasm for the natural world requires no explanation. There is beauty in abundance, all of it informed by light, and we are hugely fortunate to exist on the surface of this planet.
Website last updated 5th June 2026
Maritime structures at Hurst Castle, Hampshire
Painting of the Month June 2026
Hurst Castle is located on a spit jutting out into the Solent. The oldest part was built in 1541-1544 during the reign of Henry VIII as one of a chain of coastal fortifications.
During the 19th century it was considerably extended with two very large wings for gun emplacements, and the back wall of one wing is shown here. The more recent structures beyond are to do with controlling maritime traffic, rather than defence.
If you would like to discuss purchasing this work please telephone the artist on 01653 628331 quoting the Artist's Catalogue No. 1046.
• Watercolour & gouache on paper
• Image size 64.6 x 50.6 cms
• £8,950
Stolen Pictures
There was a burglary at Edward Dowden's home in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, on the 17th or 18th of July 1991 (he was away for the night). Amongst the items stolen were six paintings. None of the paintings has been recovered.
If you have seen any of these pictures at any time since 1991, or if you have any information about their present whereabouts, please contact the artist.
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