Frederick R FITZGERALD

Frederick R FITZGERALD
fl 1897 -1938

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