A NEWLY acquired painting is going on display in Cirencester this weekend.

In June the Bingham Library Trust discovered at a local auction a painting by much loved Cirencester artist Anthony Klitz.

The Trust were successful in acquiring the work for this important local collection which is being shown at the Bingham Gallery.

The painting, which shows a view of Coxwell street including one of Klitz’s signature figures in red, will be on show for the first time at the Bingham gallery for the week of Heritage Open Days from September 7-10.

Anthony Klitz was born in Southport in 1917. When he was a teenager the family moved to Cirencester living at Chesterton House, Dunstall House in Park Street, and at Wellesley House and Mead House, both in Dyer Street. He trained as an architect with Dowglass and Pyle in the Market Place and also studied at Cheltenham Art School.

During the Second World War he served with the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars and the Middlesex Regiment, leaving with the rank of Major.

Klitz became a professional artist in the 1950s. He returned to live and work in Cirencester in 1970 with his wife and three children living at Oakley Cottage, now Oakley House, in Tetbury Road.

Tony Klitz renovated the old Magistrates Court in Park Lane, next to the original grammar school building, and used it as both a studio and gallery.

Whilst living locally he had many exhibitions in the town and in Cheltenham, Bristol and London. Much of his work was sold to America, Europe and Australia.

International exhibitions of his work were also held in New York, Paris, Sydney, London, Dublin and Cork. He died in Ireland in 2000.

He became well known for his paintings of London, their atmospheric ‘pearly light’ capturing the mood of London in the 1950s and 60s. These show famous sites including Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament as well as the parks, and views along the Thames, with a handful of figures adding human interest and colour, notably guardsmen in their red jackets.

His architectural training is revealed in his view of Coxwell Street painted in the early 1970s which reveals the ‘fine sense of architectural atmosphere and character’ he is known for.

Andy Lichnowski, chairman of the Bingham Library Trust, said: "We are pleased to have acquired this painting by an important local artist and we encourage people to view the painting at the Bingham Gallery during Heritage Open Week."

  • Bingham gallery opening hours Saturday, September 10 and Saturday, September 24 (10am-2pm), Saturday, October 1 (10am-2pm).

Open September 7-9 (11am-4pm) for Heritage Open Days.