James Aumonier (1832-1911) - Early 20th Century Watercolour Tending the Garden

Description

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration.

Size

18 x 26cm (7.1" x 10.2")
Framed Size: 40 x 47cm (15.7" x 18.5")

Artist Biography

Aumonier showed an early interest in art and, while working as a paper stainer, he took evening classes in drawing, at the London Mechanics’ Institution. As a result of his studies, he became a designer of printed calicos for use in furnishings at a London factory, while spending much of his spare time teaching himself to paint from nature.


In 1864, Aumonier began to exhibit regularly, first showing at the British Institution and the Society of British Artists. Not long after he started to exhibit at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1870. He soon gained artistic recognition, though continued to work at the textile factory for a few more years. Working with equal success in oil and watercolour, he was elected an associate of the Institute of Painters in Water Colours in 1876, and a full member in 1879. He was one of the founder members of the Institute of Painters in Oil Colours in 1882, and also a member of the British Society of Pastellists, during its short life between 1890 and 1893.


Though he made only one trip abroad, to Venice and the Dolomites in 1891, Aumonier contributed to major international exhibitions, including those in Paris, Brussels, Munich, Berlin and Adelaide, and was awarded a number of medals. In 1900, the leading arts magazine, The Studio, published an article about him, written by Nancy Bell.


In his seventies, Aumonier continued to paint, and exhibited the results in a series of solo shows, beginning with one devoted to his watercolours at the Leicester Galleries, London, in 1908. However, he died just three years later, on 4 October 1911.


His work is represented in numerous public collections, including Manchester Art Gallery, Museums Sheffield and Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum