This painting shows part of the stone archway into Browne’s Hospital, an almshouse and religious foundation bult by William Browne, a rich wool merchant living in Stamford in 1475. He also bult the magnificent All Saint’s Church nearby. Wool was ‘oil’ in the 15th century and many fortunes were made from the wool trade, especially in this part of the world. To make up for the rape of the countryside by sheep to the detriment of the poor peasants, men like Browne would appease their consciences and build religious foundations. Even if this did not gain them immortality, their work lives on in wonderful architecture which I have enjoyed painting, especially when the skilful craft of the stonemasons is illuminated by a low winter sun.

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