Frank KELSEY

Walter Frank KELSEY
1864
1932
fl 1887-1930

Walter Frank Kelsey, who signed his paintings as Frank Kelsey,  was born in London.  All of his census entries, however, give his name as Walter F Kelsey.

His dates have proved elusive for a long time, until recently discovered and added by George Bednar (2011).

An artist of unusual combination, both marine and floral, his subjects included shipping, coastal, harbour and river scenes as well as flowers.  His known association was with Looe, Polperro and Fowey in Cornwall, but he may have painted elsewhere.

His addresses are listed as 9 Dennington Park Mansions, West Hampstead in 1892, and Ballinger, Great Missenden, Bucks from 1919. The artist died at Ballinger Common, Great Missenden.

media

Painter of marine and floral subjects

works and access

Works include: Fishing Boats at Looe, Cornwall; Trawlers (1892-93); Still Lagoon (1893); At Anchor (1893-94); The Light House; Low Tide; The Inner Harbour, Polperro;

A lovely print of a Kelsey watercolour (2012) depicting boats entering Fowey harbour is in the collection of Fowey museum.
 

exhibitions

RA (28)

RBA (24)

RI (3)

RID (68)

ROI (7)

TOO (9); 

L (1)

references

Bednar (3rd edition revisions) Every Corner was a Painting

Brook-Hart

Hardie (2009) Artists in Newlyn and West Cornwall (p333)

Johnson & Greutzner (1975) Dictionary of British Artists

Tovey, David (2021) Polperro - Cornwall's Forgotten Art Centre - Volume One - Pre-1920, Wilson Books

Wood (2008) Victorian Painters

http://www.antique-fine-art.com/antique-pictures.htm