Ernest George RA 1839-1922 - Late 19th Century Watercolour Utrecht Cathedral

Description

A sunny view of the front of Utrecht Cathedral from the street. A blue sky with fluffy white clouds overhead, the street bustling with people and sunshine streaming down onto the buildings. George shows a skilled hand in his execution of the crisp shadows which can be hard to accomplish in to medium.The artist has signed and dated to the lower left corner. On wove.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration. There is a tiny amount of very light foxing which is unnoticeable.

Size

34.7 x 25.6cm (13.7" x 10.1")
Sheet: 37.6 x 27.5cm (14.8" x 10.8")

Artist Biography

Ernest George was born in Southwark, Surrey (now London), the son of an ironmonger. He was a noted architect, etcher and painter in watercolour and began his architectural training in 1856, under Samuel Hewitt and after a year entered the Royal Academy Schools 1857-1859. After he went on a sketching tour of France and Germany, which inspired him to the architectural style that would make him famous. In addition to his architectural work, George was also a painter and etcher and a member of the Art Workers' Guild. He exhibited at Dudley Gallery, Fine Art Society, Royal Academy, Royal Society of British Artists, Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers, and Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, the Royal Hibernian Academy and at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh. A watercolour by him entitled 'Messina in 1904' is illustrated in Architectural Review February 1910.

George was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1861 and a fellow two decades later. The Royal Academy elected him to their ranks in 1917 as a full member. In 1896 he was awarded the Royal Gold Medal by the RIBA and was knighted for his services to architecture in 1912. He was responsible for the design of Cadogan Estate in Chelsea and Kensington and also served as president of the Royal Institute of British Architects from 1908 to 1910. George died at his home in Bayswater, London on 8 December 1922. His funeral took place on 18 December 1922 at Golders Green crematorium, which he had designed in 1901.