NOTABLE DISPLAY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 4 May 1931, Page 7

NOTABLE DISPLAY

EXHIBITION OF OIL PAINTINGS AND WATER COLOURS

BY EMINENT ARTISTS

The following short biographical sketches of some of the artists whose 'work may be seen in the exhibition of water-colour drawings in the Suter Art Gallerv have been compiled by the Very Rev. Dean Askew. DAVID COX, RAV.S. David. Cox—‘nomen memorabile et venerabile’—was the son of a blaeksinith, and born near Birmingham in 1793. As a landscape painter he occupies a foremost position in the water colour world, and the art gallery at Lirmingham contains many of Jiis works which are eagerly sought after bv lovers of art and the authorities or the various art galleries in England and elsewhere.’ Much of liis work was done in North \\ ales, at, and around Bettws-y-coed, and the writer lias visited the inn where he lodged for a time. On one occasion he was so impecunious that lie was unable to pay for his lodgings, and m order to liquidate his debt lie painted the sign for the inn. Eventually the sign was sold for over £4OO. Cox painted both in oils and water-colours. His oil paintings are masterly exhut, as in the case of Copley bidding, they are not so well known as his water colours. Among his most famous pictures are “Peace and War” painted in 1846 which sold at Christie’s for £,20 and in 1872 brought £3601. loir Hayfiehl” was sold for £2950 in 1075 the largest sum' ever paid for a water; colour up to that date. Two fine examples by this great master—one of England’s greatest landscape painters arc on exhibition, a beautiful oil painting “North Wales,” and a water colour drawing “Showery Heather. Cox was a pupil of John , -I' l 1813 he joined the Society 101 1 a| i't el 's in Water Colours, and in 7<-r • published his well-known ‘treatise on Lanscape Painting.” David Cox died in 1059 at- Harborne near Lirmingham A well-known critic writes: His paintings arc distinguished by an exquisite perception of the great facts of nature, and by a consistent sigmfican.ee of interpretation. They have a most attractive individuality, and their technical mastery is exceptionally convincing—they put him definitely among the leaders of the British school. He provides an antidote to the sloppy conventionalism which is poisonimr much of the art of to-day. and the poses of our modern artists of the ‘advanced’ school would have seemed to him particularly offensive He would have had no sympathy with reactionaries who make a pretence of primitive simplicity so that they can shirk the labour of learning their craft, for him that art only was right which was earnest, sincere, and holiest, and unquestioning in its worship of nature.”

GEORGE HENRY ANDREWS, RAV.S. Member of the Royal Water Colour Society. Born 1816,' died 1898. A painter of marine subjects which suggest life and action. He is also seen in happy vein in his fine picture “Rotterdam”. JOHN W. NORTH, ft.A. Member of the Royal Academy. Born 1842, died 1924. A landscape painter of fame in oils and water colours. The Chantrey Bequest purchased an example of this artist’s work in 1891 for £315. He is well-known for his delicate toned work and the example on view, “Summertime” is a delightful specimen of his skill.

ANTHONY VANDYKE COPLEY FIELDING, R.W.S. Fielding was n member of the Old Water Colour Society; an English water colour landscape painter of great skill and a pupil of John Varley. In 1810 he became an associate of the Water Colour Society and contributed largely to its exhibitions. He was elected president in 1831. His principal pictures are water colours depicting the lake country. During liis life time lie exhibited over 1748 works at the Old Water Society and very high prices are obtained for liis important drawings. There is e. collection of his drawings in South Kensington Museum, and examples are to he found in all the principal art galleries. “Lock Aire” and “Roslbery Priory” Sommersct arc pleasing examples by this great artist. WILLIAM BENETT, R.I. Members of the Royal Institute, born in 1811, died 1871. His style is similar to David Cox,’ and be was either a pupil of this great master oiy a very close student of liis work. “Fishing boats off the Hastings beach,” is a very pleasing arid clever example of this artist’s work.

WILLIAM LEIGHTON LEITCH, ILL

This artist was born in 1804 and died in 1883. He was elected vice-president of the Royal Institute. Exhibited between the year 1832-1883 at the principal galleries. In the example sent “In the Highlands,” this fine artist has given us a very pleasing picture. CHARLES BRANWIIITE, ILW.S. Branwhite was a member of the Royal Water Colour Society, who painted mostly in. the. region of Bristol. Between (ho years 1843 and 1879 lie was a regular exhibitor at the various exhibitions in England. The example on view, a clover drawing “Eventide, shows liis clean colourings, a strong feature in his wprk. ALBERT GOODWIN, RAV.S.

Albert Goodwin is represented by seven water colour drawings,-which give an excellent idea of this artist’s great ability. Albert Goodwin who. owing to blindness has now ceased to paint, has, in the past held many successful shows, at various London galleries. He is considered by many experts to bo the modern Turner because of the great beauty of bis sunsets A constant exhibitor at the Royal Academy for many years bis work was considered the cleverest at each year’s Royal Academy in the opinion of the committee. An example by Ibis artist was purchased by the Chantrey bequest for the sum of £315 in the year 1901 jeets, "Sunshine at Ufracofnbe”, J Ibe Jungle”, “Pevensoy Castle”, vest”, “Rve” “Borcastlo Harbour , A Days End” splendid examples of this artist’s supreme, ability are seein