Arthur James F. Bond
Encyclopedia
Arthur James F. Bond, R.S.M.A. (1888 - 1958) was an English
artist who worked in oils
, watercolour and etching
.
, Devon
, England
. His father, Richard Bond was the Vicar
of St James' Church, Devonport and the family lived in the large vicarage adjacent. Being the son of a vicar meant that Bond had a fairly privileged upbringing - the family had three domestic servants and when he was of age Arthur was sent to King's College, Taunton, a prestigious boarding school
.
After leaving school, Arthur Bond moved to London
to concentrate on his artistic career, studying art at Heatherley's, at Goldsmiths' College and at the Central School of Arts and Crafts. He first London address was in St Margarets-on-Thames, before moving to Twickenham
in 1913, then Barnes, before settling in leafy Richmond, 1918. Like many artists, the city proved a muse for Arthur Bond which is evident in his numerous etchings and paintings of the capital. Bond also favoured maritime
subjects, elected a member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists
and the Wapping Group of Artists. He established a studio on Gravesend
Pier in the same building used by Thames river pilots. During 1956 this pier-head studio became the setting for a number of Wapping Group invited meetings where members could chat to many of the pilots. Bond exhibited often in the capital, with six paintings shown at the Royal Academy
between 1912 - 1918.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
artist who worked in oils
Oil paint
Oil paint is a type of slow-drying paint that consists of particles of pigment suspended in a drying oil, commonly linseed oil. The viscosity of the paint may be modified by the addition of a solvent such as turpentine or white spirit, and varnish may be added to increase the glossiness of the...
, watercolour and etching
Etching
Etching is the process of using strong acid or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in intaglio in the metal...
.
Life and work
Arthur Bond was born June 1888 in DevonportDevonport, Devon
Devonport, formerly named Plymouth Dock or just Dock, is a district of Plymouth in the English county of Devon, although it was, at one time, the more important settlement. It became a county borough in 1889...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. His father, Richard Bond was the Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
of St James' Church, Devonport and the family lived in the large vicarage adjacent. Being the son of a vicar meant that Bond had a fairly privileged upbringing - the family had three domestic servants and when he was of age Arthur was sent to King's College, Taunton, a prestigious boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
.
After leaving school, Arthur Bond moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to concentrate on his artistic career, studying art at Heatherley's, at Goldsmiths' College and at the Central School of Arts and Crafts. He first London address was in St Margarets-on-Thames, before moving to Twickenham
Twickenham
Twickenham is a large suburban town southwest of central London. It is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan...
in 1913, then Barnes, before settling in leafy Richmond, 1918. Like many artists, the city proved a muse for Arthur Bond which is evident in his numerous etchings and paintings of the capital. Bond also favoured maritime
Ocean
An ocean is a major body of saline water, and a principal component of the hydrosphere. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean, a continuous body of water that is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.More than half of this area is over 3,000...
subjects, elected a member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists
Royal Society of Marine Artists
The Royal Society of Marine Artists is an association of artists in London, England, that promotes contemporary marine art. This includes painting, drawing, printmaking and sculpture.-History:...
and the Wapping Group of Artists. He established a studio on Gravesend
Gravesend, Kent
Gravesend is a town in northwest Kent, England, on the south bank of the Thames, opposite Tilbury in Essex. It is the administrative town of the Borough of Gravesham and, because of its geographical position, has always had an important role to play in the history and communications of this part of...
Pier in the same building used by Thames river pilots. During 1956 this pier-head studio became the setting for a number of Wapping Group invited meetings where members could chat to many of the pilots. Bond exhibited often in the capital, with six paintings shown at the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
between 1912 - 1918.