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Frank Wootton:
Chichester Cross
Passe-partout (ref: 4543)
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Tags: Frank Wootton watercolour Metropolitan topography

Chichester Cross is an elaborate Perpendicular market cross in the centre of the city of Chichester, West Sussex, standing at the intersection of the four principal streets. According to the inscription upon it, this cross was built by Edward Story, Bishop of Chichester from 1477 to 1503; but little is known for certain and the style and ornaments of the building suggest that it may date from the reign of Edward IV. It was built so that the poor people should have somewhere to sell their wares, and as a meeting point. An earlier wooden cross had been erected on the same site by Bishop Rede (1369-1385). The stone cross was repaired during the reign of Charles II, and at the expense of the Duke of Richmond, in 1746 and stands to this day.
Frank Wootton was a painter in oil and writer, born in Milford, Hampshire. He studied at Eastbourne College of Art under Eric Ravilious and Arthur Reeve-Fowkes, winning a gold medal and travelling scholarship, 1930. In 1939-46 Wootton was an Official War Artist with the Royal Air Force. Among Wootton 's books were How to Draw Aircraft and How to Draw Cars and several books were published in Britain and America featuring his aviation pictures. Wootton was a president of Guild of Aviation Artists and vice-president of the Society of Equestrian Artists. Among his awards were the CP Roberston Trophy, Air Ministry, 1979; Royal Aero Club Silver Medal and Companion of Honor, Royal Aeronautical Society, both 1985; and freedom of Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators, 1987. Solo exhibitions included Ackermann Gallery, 1964; Tryon Gallery, from 1969; and National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, America, 1983. Imperial War Museum, Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton and other collections hold examples. Lived in Alfrison, Sussex.