An atmospheric winter coaching scene featuring a coach and horses outside an inn by John Charles Maggs. A stagecoach can be seen having stopped outside an inn during a snow storm. As the coachmen survey the darkening skies, a team of fresh horses is shown waiting in the nearby stables.

John Maggs was born James Charles Maggs on 17 September, 1819 in Bow, East London to James Charles Maggs senior and Jane Maggs. His father was an artist and furniture japanner who was originally from Somerset but found work in London. By 1823, the family had moved back to Somerset where they lived at Westgate Street in Bath.

He most likely received his initial art training from his father before studying abroad in Italy for 2 years. On his return to Bath, he established himself as an artist and began specialising in coaching scenes. On 22 June, 1852 he married Eliza Gardner at Freshford Parish Church. The couple initially lived at 5 Larkhall Place in Bath before moving to 11 Belvedere West. The couple had 4 children together, Alice, Jessie, Louisa and Agnes who all inherited his talent for art.

From the early 1870’s he lived at 1, The Paragon from where he ran a school of painting, known as the Bath Art Studio, for many years. His daughter Jessie assisted him with the drawing, sketching and painting classes. From 1885, his other daughters also began helping as the school became more established. Maggs also ran a number of exhibitions from the studio which included his own work as well as that of his daughters and other students.

Although he does not appear to have exhibited at any of the London galleries, he enjoyed great popularity during his lifetime winning important patrons such as Queen Victoria, the Duke of Beaufort and Joseph Grego. In 1891, he moved to 2 Vineyards where he continued to run the school with his youngest daughter Agnes. He made his final move to 3 Kensington Place sometime around 1895. He died at his home in Bath on 3 November 1896 aged 77.

A collection of his paintings can be found at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath. Other examples of his work are held by the Bristol Museum, Postal Museum, and The Wilson.

© Benton Fine Art