It seems apt to launch these forays into the wonderful world of antiques with one of Chester’s most recognised artists from the past. Not only did Louise Rayner spend four decades of her life in the 19th century living and working in the city but she also left a marvellously vibrant collection of paintings depicting, in exquisite detail the streets of Chester 150 years ago. Louise Rayner was born in 1832 in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire. Her parents were both great artists themselves as indeed were five of her siblings. After moving to Chester as a young adult she went on to paint, mainly in watercolour numerous impressions of everyday life on the streets of her adopted home. Louise Rayner’s paintings captured Victorian Chester with precise detail in summery, morning light. They are full of bustling, noisy streets where ‘ordinary’ life plays out against the backdrop of the city’s lovely architecture. Each piece is her interpretation of a busy, metropolitan centre that, over the previous century had more than doubled its population and yet, unlike other nearby urban areas had very little industry of its own. This was a Chester that already depended on tourism for its very survival and Rayner’s picturesque scenes were, without doubt marketing gems! The following paintings by Louise Rayner (many others could substitute) are great example of her meticulous attention to detail in both the portrayed architecture as well as human and animal subjects. For a fabulous, insightful exploration of Louise Rayner and her paintings do not fail to follow this link to a video in which Jessie Petheram, assistant curator of the Grosvenor Museum, Chester shares her enviable knowledge of the artist, her influence on contemporary culture and, crucially her place in the 21st century.