FREDERICK JOHN WIDGERY (1861-1942)

F J Widgery watercolour

“Doone Valley Exmoor”

signed lower right tilted verso

Size: 28cm by 18cm

Price: SOLD

Known as “The Favourite Son of Devon” the son of William Widgery who had made a name for himself as a self taught artist Frederick John Widgery not only became an artist of some repute but he became a prominent and active councillor and Mayor of Exeter. Born in May 1861 he attended the Exeter Cathedral School where he showed his father’s aptitude for art. He went on to the Exeter School of Art and then the South Kensington Museum School before travelling to Antwerp to study under Charles Verlat at the National Art School. His work was very successful during his lifetime. His reputation spread as his paintings were taken to overseas. He had six paintings exhibited at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters five at the Royal Academy three at the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours and three at the Walker Art Gallery Liverpool. He is celebrated for his evocations of the landscapes of Cornwall and of Devon where Dartmoor and Exmoor were his favourite subjects

He died on 27th January 1942 at the age of 81

S/R