A local artist has embarked on a quest to locate missing paintings of Oswestry by George Bonnr.

As part of the ART-efact art residency project, Joseph Schneider became captivated by two paintings by Bonner that are currently held in the Town Council Archives.

These artworks depict the bustling Bailey Head market ("Fair Day on the Bailey Head, Oswestry," 1888) and the grand Guildhall ("The Guildhall," 1890) during the late Victorian era.

But now he hopes to discover the whereabouts of another four paintings by the Victorian artist.

Joseph is passionate about highlighting Bonner's artistic talent, believing that he is often overlooked as an artist.

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He said: "Bonner is greatly underappreciated as an artist and I hope by bringing these paintings to light we can give him the credit he is due for capturing a unique sense of life in Oswestry at the end of the 19th Century.

“More than this they are full of carefully observed incidental detail that not only give us a sense of social history but also of the tenderness that Bonner so clearly felt towards the town that had become his home in his old age."

However, Joseph's extensive research suggests that there are at least four other paintings by Bonner showcasing different views of Oswestry from the 1880s.

These include a portrayal of the Llwyd Mansion featuring Mr. Dumville Lees on horseback, a depiction of Christ Church, and a view of the Wynnstay bowling green.

Joseph shared his findings with local historian John Pryce-Jones, who added: "It is likely that they survive, hanging in someone’s house, or decorating an office wall.

“And it is possible that there were other paintings, which may also have survived.

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“George Bonner was described in his obituaries as “the painter of several pictures of local interest”, there may well have been more than just the five such paintings described here and it would be good for our local history to be able to bring all of these to light, as an important glimpse of Oswestry in late Victorian times."

The question remains: Where are these missing paintings? Joseph, along with assistance from John, urges anyone in the area with information about their whereabouts to come forward.

If you have any leads or knowledge about the missing artworks, please contact Holly at artefactoswestry@gmail.com or Joseph Schneider at hinterhinter@gmail.com.