Charles Rousse (act. 1871-1892), Attributed to - Shambles (Digbeth)

Attributed Artist: Charles Rousse (British, active 1871–1892) – noted for finely observed townscapes and street scenes, particularly across the West Midlands and Birmingham.
Title: The Shambles, Digbeth, Birmingham (also recorded as Digbeth)
Period: Late 19th century (c.1870s–1890s)
Medium: Original watercolour on paper
Dimensions:
Image area: 25.5 cm × 17.5 cm
On original mount, unframed.
Signature: Signed lower right in watercolour: C. Rousse – clearly legible and consistent with the artist’s known hand.
Edition status: Unique original work; not a print. This is one of several known autograph versions of the same celebrated composition.
The composition is directly comparable to the museum-held example: Shambles (Digbeth), accession no. 1976.289.P, at The New Art Gallery, Walsall — the two are incredibly similar in viewpoint, figure arrangement, and architectural detail, confirming this as an autograph version of the artist’s iconic subject.
The composition depicts Digbeth’s historic Shambles district, with the distinctive gabled timber-framed buildings and the tall remnant of St John the Baptist’s Church, Deritend, visible above the rooftops. The museum’s catalogue entry is published online at: collections.thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk/objects/4581/shambles-digbeth documenting the status and recognition of this subject. Rousse specialised in recording Birmingham’s disappearing historic streetscapes, making these works important both artistically and as local historical records.
Condition: The watercolour itself remains in good but please see images as they form part of the description. The paper is sound and flat. The original mount shows age-related discolouration, light foxing, and edge wear/staining (visible in the margins); there is no evidence of restoration or retouching to the artwork.
Shipping: Currently presented in its original mount (no frame glazing). Will be shipped carefully flat, sandwiched between rigid boards within a protective parcel.