Frederick R FITZGERALD
A painter of coastal and marine subjects, Whybrow notices this artist in St Ives during the first decade of the 20th century. His addresses were in Cheltenham and Boscombe, Hampshire, and he appears to have travelled in Norway.
In 1897 he exhibited in Birmingham (Wood) and many other shows followed, most frequently at RI and ROI.
David Tovey, the historian of the St Ives Arts colonies, writes (2011): Fitzgerald was said to be living in Cheltenham, when he was signed in as a guest at the Arts Club by the Hobkirk brothers in February and November 1896. Accordingly, he may well have been studying art with Stuart Hobkirk in Cheltenham before deciding, on Hobkirk’s recommendation, to try the newly formed Olsson School. Certainly, he became a marine painter, in both oils and watercolours, and, by 1897, when he first exhibited his work, he was based in Boscombe, Hampshire, which was to be his home for the rest of his career.
He travelled widely and is probably best known for his depictions of the Norwegian coast. However, he also returned to West Penwith from time to time. He was a visitor at Mrs Griggs, Zennor, in November 1913, making a sketch in her Visitors' book, and Whybrow records him as a member of the Arts Club at about this time. A watercolour Silvery Morning, St Ives has appeared on the market, whilst another watercolour of Clodgy Point is dated 1927. Two of his oils, including a pure seascape entitled A Seaway, are owned by the Russell-Cotes Gallery, Bournemouth.
media
Painter of coastal and marine subjects
works and access
Russell Cotes Gallery, Bournemouth
The Cornish Coast - oil on canvas (Hayle Gallery)
exhibitions
memberships
misc further info
references
Hardie (2009) Artists in Newlyn and West Cornwall (p325)
Johnson & Greutzner (1975) Dictionary of British Artists
Tovey (2011) Correspondence
Whybrow (1994) St Ives (1911-20 list pp 216-8)
Wood (1995) Victorian Painters