Percy Brooke (1869-1916) - 1908 Watercolour Collecting Firewood

Description

A fine watercolour painting by the well-listed British artist Percy Brooke, depicting a rural landscape scene with figures collecting firewood. Signed and dated to the lower left-hand corner. The artist's name is inscribed on the reverse. Well-presented in a double card mount and in a distressed, gilt-effect frame, as shown. On watercolour paper.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration. Minor scuffs to the frame.

Size

33.2 x 22.5cm (13.1" x 8.9")
Framed Size: 55 x 44.1cm (21.7" x 17.4")

Artist Biography

Percy Brooke was a landscape painter, working mainly in watercolours, who exhibited between 1898-1906 at the Royal Academy. Born in Blackburn, Brooke was the son of an ironmonger. Brooke was a student at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Blackburn and in the 1891 census he was described as a 'student artist'. He is believed to have studied in London and returned to Blackburn to set up a studio. Johnson & Greutzner record him as living in Staithes and he may well have exhibited with the Staithes Group. It is recorded that he did exhibit at the Royal Academy of Arts, Royal Society of British Artists, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours and Walker Art Gallery. In the 1901 census, at the age of thirty-two, Brooke was living in lodgings in Balderstone, Lancashire and described himself as an Artist ‘Sculpt’. The Lytham St Annes Art Collection has examples.