The subject of this oil painting Old Reading, 31 Castle Street painted in 1938 was Albert Vernon Lovegrove’s home address until 1951. It was actually his childhood home and the business premises of his father, who was a plumber and decorator, a trade A. Vernon Lovegrove followed in. The work was exhibited at the Reading Guild of Artists Ninth Annual Exhibition, The Art Gallery Reading, October 29 to November 26, 1938.

Albert Vernon Lovegrove (1899–1971) was a local artist and one of the founding members of the Reading Guild of Artists in 1930. He served on the RGA Council for several years during the Second World War and in the late 50s and appeared to be involved in encouraging more members to join in with social and drawing meetings. He painted in oil and watercolour local townscapes and scenes as well as views from his travels, exhibiting regularly until 1964. In later life, he wrote and illustrated various books on house repairs and decorating.