Martin Snape

Who was Martin Snape?

Martin Snape was an English painter who worked in a variety of media. He concentrated mainly on topographical subjects including landscapes from the Meon Valley, and shore and maritime scenes around Portsmouth Harbour and his home town of Gosport. He exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1874 and 1901.

Living in Spring Garden Lane, near Gosport railway station, Snape was associated with the Gosport area all his life. In 1922 he was commissioned to design the seal for the newly created Borough of Gosport. In 1923 he was chosen to give the speech of welcome to the 91st Annual conference of the British Medical Association which was being held in Portsmouth.

He died in 1930 but his most famous painting, Forton Creek, one of a series, still hangs in the town hall. The new premises of Gosport Citizens Advice Bureau has been named Martin Snape House in his memory.