Recognising his prodigious artistic talent, Ince was sent to receive private tuition in Hereford under the famous English watercolour artist David Cox (1783-1859). In 1826, he moved to London, where his landscapes of Wales and Herefordshire were exhibited at the Royal Academy. Ince was only 19 years of age when his work was shown at the prestigious institution, and went on to exhibit regularly at many other galleries, gathering a list of wealthy clients.
He returned to Presteigne in 1830, continuing with his depictions of local beauty spots and large country houses. His landscapes often feature castles and ruins, rural activities such as woodcutting and harvesting, as well as figures and animals. He also painted maritime scenes and views of the colleges in Oxford and Cambridge – he was drawing master at the latter university in the 1830s.
Also on show in the exhibition are works by David Cox and Ince’s friend John Scarlett Davis (1804-1845) of Leominster. In addition, objects and costumes from the museum collection are displayed alongside the pictures, to evoke the era when Ince worked, and his subjects.
Ince’s descendant Nick Benbow, who has carried out extensive research on the artist, assisted in the creation of the exhibition. Works displayed have been loaned from public and private collections including the National Museum of Wales and Eton College.
