Frederick Morgan (painter)
Encyclopedia
Frederick Morgan was an English painter of portraits, animals, domestic and country scenes. He became famous for his idyllic genre scenes of childhood.
Morgan was born in London. He was commonly known as Fred Morgan and was the son of John Morgan
, a successful genre artist sometimes known as 'Jury Morgan' (after one of his paintings "The Gentlemen of the Jury").
At the age of fourteen he was taken out of school by his father who then tutored him in art. At the age of 16, while still studying with his father, his first picture, "The Rehearsal", was exhibited at the Royal Academy
, and, after a hiatus of several years, his paintings were shown there regularly. For a while he worked as a portrait artist for an Aylesbury photographer, - this training proved to be crucial as it "taught him how to observe closely and to give the greatest attention to detail."
Eventually he turned to other subjects for his art, in particular idyllic genre scenes of country life and childhood. For many years, starting in 1874, Thomas Agnew & Sons purchased all the work he produced. Over this period he painted some of his most popular works such as "The Doll’s Tea Party" (1874), "Emigrants' Departure" (1875) and "School Belles" (1877). Most of his painting was done in the village of Shere close to Guildford
, a well-known retreat for artists. He also painted in Normandy
, including "Midday Rest" (1879) and "An Apple Gathering" (1880).
Although an excellent portrait artist, Morgan had problems in depicting pets and barnyard animals - he enlisted the aid of either Arthur John Elsley
or Allen Sealey (1850–1927) when such problems needed resolving.
He is known mostly for his romantic and sentimental paintings of children in the same style as his contemporary Arthur John Elsley
. His paintings achieved great popularity in his lifetime and were widely published. He exhibited with the Royal Academy
and was a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters
(ROI).
In 1872 he married another painter, Alice Mary Havers (1850–1890) and produced three children. Their eldest son, known as Val Havers, also developed into a painter. Frederick Morgan married twice more, producing two children from the second marriage.
Morgan's paintings are exhibited at many art galleries and museums including the Walker Art Gallery
in Liverpool
and the Russell-Cotes Museum in Bournemouth
. "His Turn Next", was used to advertise Pears' Soap and is in the Lady Lever Art Gallery
, Port Sunlight
.
Morgan was born in London. He was commonly known as Fred Morgan and was the son of John Morgan
John Morgan (artist)
John Morgan was a successful English genre artist.Born in Pentonville London, Morgan studied at the School of Design, London and also trained in Paris under Thomas Couture . Whilst living in Aylesbury in 1861, he found fame with his paintings "Gentlemen of the Jury" and "The Country Auction"...
, a successful genre artist sometimes known as 'Jury Morgan' (after one of his paintings "The Gentlemen of the Jury").
At the age of fourteen he was taken out of school by his father who then tutored him in art. At the age of 16, while still studying with his father, his first picture, "The Rehearsal", was exhibited 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...
, and, after a hiatus of several years, his paintings were shown there regularly. For a while he worked as a portrait artist for an Aylesbury photographer, - this training proved to be crucial as it "taught him how to observe closely and to give the greatest attention to detail."
Eventually he turned to other subjects for his art, in particular idyllic genre scenes of country life and childhood. For many years, starting in 1874, Thomas Agnew & Sons purchased all the work he produced. Over this period he painted some of his most popular works such as "The Doll’s Tea Party" (1874), "Emigrants' Departure" (1875) and "School Belles" (1877). Most of his painting was done in the village of Shere close to Guildford
Guildford
Guildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region...
, a well-known retreat for artists. He also painted in Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
, including "Midday Rest" (1879) and "An Apple Gathering" (1880).
Although an excellent portrait artist, Morgan had problems in depicting pets and barnyard animals - he enlisted the aid of either Arthur John Elsley
Arthur Elsley
Arthur John Elsley was an English painter of the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, famous for his idyllic genre scenes of playful children and their pets...
or Allen Sealey (1850–1927) when such problems needed resolving.
He is known mostly for his romantic and sentimental paintings of children in the same style as his contemporary Arthur John Elsley
Arthur Elsley
Arthur John Elsley was an English painter of the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, famous for his idyllic genre scenes of playful children and their pets...
. His paintings achieved great popularity in his lifetime and were widely published. He exhibited with 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...
and was a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters
Royal Institute of Oil Painters
The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, also known as ROI, is an association of painters in London and is the only major art society which features work done only in oil. It is a member society of the Federation of British Artists.-History:...
(ROI).
In 1872 he married another painter, Alice Mary Havers (1850–1890) and produced three children. Their eldest son, known as Val Havers, also developed into a painter. Frederick Morgan married twice more, producing two children from the second marriage.
Morgan's paintings are exhibited at many art galleries and museums including the Walker Art Gallery
Walker Art Gallery
The Walker Art Gallery is an art gallery in Liverpool, which houses one of the largest art collections in England, outside of London. It is part of the National Museums Liverpool group, and is promoted as "the National Gallery of the North" because it is not a local or regional gallery but is part...
in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
and the Russell-Cotes Museum in Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
. "His Turn Next", was used to advertise Pears' Soap and is in the Lady Lever Art Gallery
Lady Lever Art Gallery
The Lady Lever Art Gallery was founded in 1922 by Sunlight Soap magnate, William Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme, and dedicated to the memory of his wife....
, Port Sunlight
Port Sunlight
Port Sunlight is a model village, suburb and electoral ward in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, Merseyside, England. It is located between Lower Bebington and New Ferry, on the Wirral Peninsula. Between 1894 and 1974 it formed part of Bebington urban district within the county of Cheshire...
.
External links
- Frederick Morgan Art gallery guide (artcyclopedia.com)
- Paintings by Morgan (Art Renewal Center Museum)