Tom Savage, Iken Church, Suffolk

St Botolph’s Church stands alone on rising ground at a bend of the River Alde, near Aldeburgh. The site is identified with Icanho, the monastery St Botolph founded in 654. In 1977 a carved Saxon cross-shaft was found in the base of the tower. The nave is thatched.

Tom Savage paints the church from across the water, with mudbanks showing in the channel. The pale tower and nave stand against a dark belt of pines and oaks. Reeds in autumn ochres fringe the near bank, under a broad grey Suffolk sky.

Oil. Signed lower right ‘Tom Savage’. The artist’s label on the reverse is titled in ink ‘Iken Church, Suffolk’ and reads ‘An original painting in oils by Tom Savage’, signed again. In a burr walnut-effect frame with a gilt slip.