The Fair Toxophilites (or English Archers, Nineteenth Century) (painting)
Fine ArtOwnership/credit: Purchased with support from the V&A Purchase Grant Fund and the Sir Harry Veitch Bequest Trust Fund.
Licence: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
Descriptions
William Frith’s handsome young lady archers inhabit both a private and public pictorial world. Privately, English Archers, Nineteenth Century was created as a fanciful representation of the artist’s three daughters, Alice, Fanny and Louisa (left to right). Above all, the painting must have been valued as a novel family portrait and remained, rarely exhibited, with Frith’s descendants until acquired by the Museum. In the public sphere The Fair Toxophilites has become one of the most famous images of affluent Victorian leisure.
This object is not on display.
Inscription
bottom left signed & dated WP Frith 1872
verso stretcher stencil 224MX 1722C0
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Please could you let me know if W. P Frith’s painting ‘The Fair Toxophilites’ is currently on display at the museum. Thanks, Joy
Dear Joy,
the work is currently in store and we don’t have any plans to display it in the near future. If you wish to view the work RAMM’s art curator can arrange a store visit – please drop her an email. [email protected]
I studied at the University of Exeter from 2016-2019 and was a student visitor guide at the RAMM, but during this period the painting was never exhibited publicly. I am intending to visit Exeter soon and I was wondering if ‘The Fair Toxophilites’ is currently on display.
Dear Jacalyn, no, this work is currently not on display but if you would like to make an appointment to view it in the store please get in touch. Best wishes Holly
Please could you tell me why this fabulous painting is not on display? From the emails I’ve read it has disappeared from public view for some years. There are many other wonderful works of art which are also unavailable unless a special request is made in advance. The Frith is so famous and one of your collection’s jewels!
Dear Juliet,
Thank you for your comment and interest in this painting. It was on display for the majority of 2022 in an exhibition called ‘Funded with Thanks’. It is on the long list for two future exhibitions as well. Just because it isn’t on display here doesn’t mean that it’s hidden from view. This work is frequently lent to other museums. We have nearly 8,000 artworks in our care. We try to show a mix of works that are favourites alongside those that are rarely seen. The next fine art hang which opens in April is themed around food. Half of the works will change half way through the show’s run.
Best wishes
Holly
Has this painting been on display since 2016? That’s nearly 10 years ago. It wasn’t there when I came to see it in 2023 and it wasn’t there when my friend came to see it a few weeks ago in 2025. It’s a treasure of the museum which was publicly funded as well as using funds from a bequest. It should be on show most of the time, without having to make an appointment. People are enquiring so there must be a demand.
Dear Tim,
Thank you for your comment and interest in this painting. It was on display for the majority of 2022 in an exhibition called ‘Funded with Thanks’. It is on the long list for two future exhibitions as well. Just because it isn’t on display here doesn’t mean that it’s hidden from view. This work is frequently lent to other museums.
Best wishes
Holly