Ernest George RA (1839-1922) - Pen & Ink Drawing Columns in Venice

Description

A delicate and detailed pen and ink study by the well listed artist Ernest George RA, depicting the Columns of San Marco and San Teodoro from the Piazzetta San Marco in Venice, Italy. The Santa Maria della Salute church is also featured in the background. The drawing has been fixed to backing card and is signed in pencil to the lower left. Signed. On wove.

Condition

Very minor foxing to main image. Discolouration and foxing present on backing card, as shown.

Size

11.9 x 7.9cm (4.7" x 3.1")
Sheet: 18.8 x 12.5cm (7.4" x 4.9")

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. 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 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.