Previously, the Advertiser reported on two of these paintings having been discovered by Vince Rayne, who is researching the history of the Catholic church in Mossel Bay.
On having seen the previous article, Martmarie, also in possessions of a Lighton painting, asked the Advertiser for Vince's contact details.
After making contact with Vince and discussing the matter with the original owner of the painting's daughter, Lenette Swart from Strand, Cape Town, the third painting will now be donated to the church, where it will soon be displayed.
Recently, Vince also found out through a Priest and religious Sister in Aliwal North, that Father Thomas Lighton had died some time back and was in fact a Monsignor at the time of his death. This is a honorary title conferred by the Pope on certain priests.
Vince is awaiting further details regarding Lighton and his past from Aliwal North.
He has received a few queries regarding the dates on one or two of the paintings previously published in the Advertiser and has since found out that Thomas Lighton copied a few old pictures and wrote the date he painted the scene on the actual painting when completed.
In effect, this does not depict how the town looked at that particular time, but simply dates the completion of the paintings.
Incidentally, Vince discovered the following wording, very faded behind the picture, reading: "Geskilder deur Thomas Lighton (jong seun ± 16 – 18 jr oud) gegee aan Miemie Joubert met vertrek van Mosselbaai waar sy orreliste van die NG Kerk en musiekonderwyseres was."
Miemie Joubert is Lenette Swart's mother who sadly has also passed on. Lighton was one of her music students and was between 16 and 18 years old when he completed the painting.
A copy of this new painting will be obtained by Vince and forwarded on to Pieter Viljoen, and the Mossel Bay Photo Club for further exposure to the general public.
ARTICLE: CORNELLE CARSTENS, MOSSEL BAY ADVERTISER JOURNALIST
Another old painting by Thomas Lighton has been discovered, thanks to a reader who spotted the previous article on the paintings found on the ceiling of a bulding next to the Catholic church in Mossel Bay.
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