Francis Powell Hopkins (1830-1900), also known as "Major Shortspoon," was a passionate golfer and talented artist who captured the essence of the game in his paintings. This circa 1880s watercolor titled "The Molesworths"—measuring 7 1/2" x 12" and beautifully framed and matted to 15 3/4" x 19 1/2"—exemplifies his skill and style. Hopkins signed "Major S 79" in the lower left of this image. The "Ma" start of his signature is covered by the mat.
"Major Shortspoon's" work from the 1870s and 1880s represent, among other things, the oldest actual golf paintings a collector has any reasonable chance to obtain, at least without digging deep into their wallet and waiting between long periods of nothing available. This example of his work presents itself beautifully. His paintings often have a soft blue tint to them and by design. It was part of his style.
Hopkins captured a variety of golf scenes and the players involved. He painted everything from Young and Old Tom golfing in the snow to a golfer falling into a bunker. Indeed, his paintings would sometimes capture humorous moments. His fellow golfers at Westward Ho! where he played most of his golf, were often his subjects. Based at Westward Ho!, where he frequently played, Hopkins frequently painted his fellow golfers. His artistry, signed with his well-known "Major Shortspoon," now resides in some of the finest golf art collections in the world.
According to Ian Henderson and David Stirk in their book Shortspoon: Major Francis Powell Hopkins 1830-1913 Golfing Artist and Journalist. "Captian Molesworth was a retired naval officer and local entrepreneur. He was a founder member of Westward Ho! and learned his golf there.... Molesworth played with only three clubs — a driver, an iron and a putter, named respectively, Faith, Hope and Charity." Stirk and Henderson write that Molesworth had a hard time getting the ball high into the air, so he became affectionately known as the "Old Mole." More information on Hopkins and his work can be found in the above-mentioned book.