John Herbert Eva DOWNING

1859—1932

Jack was born 8 april 1859 (GRO), the son of a Falmouth corn merchant who conducted business and lived in Bank House, Grove Place in the 1880s. Jack became a close friend of Henry Scott TUKE; of a similar age, Tuke wrote in June 1885 'I find Downing much the most energetic and therefore congenial companion here', and helped him with his amateur painting. They were friendly all of Tuke's life.

Jack eventually took over the family business, married, and had one daughter. In the RCPS Exhibition of 1894 he exhibited three paintings. His titles include Sailing ships at Falmouth, A fishing vessel and Cornish lugger entering a port. A Newlyn title in 1895 was recorded by Bednar for this artist. Downing died at Falmouth on 3 April, 1932, aged 73 (GRO).

details

aka:

aka Jack

gender:

male

media:

Painter of marine subjects in oils and watercolours

references:

Bednar;

Hardie (2009) Artists in Newlyn and West Cornwall;

Johnson & Greutzner (1975) Dictionary of British Artists;

Price & Tonkin RCPS;

RCPS Proceedings;

Wainwright & Dinn Henry Scott Tuke, Under Canvas

exhibitions:

RCPS (3) 1894;

RA 1913-14

works and access:

Works include: Sailing ships at Falmouth; A fishing vessel; Cornish lugger entering a port (all c1894)