Portrait Of Henry Edmund Cotman - By Frederick George Cotman (1850-1920)

A fine and intimate 19th century English oil on canvas depicting Henry Edmund Cotman (1844-1914) by Frederick George Cotman RI. RCI. (1850-1920) The handsome bearded model is shown in profile. He is elegantly dressed in the traditional garb of a gentleman of substance, namely a black jacket, white shirt and tartan neck tie. With his head turned away from the viewer, Henry gazes to the right and his expression reveals the artist's skill in rendering a sharp character. The dramatic interplay of light and shadow throughout this portrait, the artist's brushstrokes and painterly style, all contribute to evoking an attractive individual of great depth. This beautiful portrait is in an excellent state of preservation and is ready to hang and enjoy in its original antique frame which has been sympathetically restored. It is inscribed on the back in black paint on the canvas and the frame. Frederick George Cotman (1850 - 1920) was a famous British portrait and landscape painter and a key member of the Norwich School of Painters. Frederick was born into the Cotman family of artists. His parents were Henry Edmund Cotman (1802–1871), a former Norwich silk merchant, and his wife Maria Taylor (1813–1895). His older brothers, Henry Edmund Cotman (1844–1914) and Thomas Cotman (1847–1925) were born in London before the family moved to Ipswich. Frederick was born at 186 Wykes Bishop Street, Ipswich in 1850 and was the youngest child in the family. He was nephew of John Sell Cotman and cousin of John Joseph and Miles Edmund Cotman. He was a private pupil of William Thomson Griffiths, headmaster of Ipswich School of Art. Cotman's ties to the Norwich school of painters stem primarily from his family ties to John Sell Cotman, who was one of its principal artists. However, he never lived in Norfolk, unlike so many artists at the school. He worked in both oil and watercolour. His best-known work, One of the Family, is now held by the Walker Art Gallery in Livepool. Throughout his career, which generally takes place in London, he creates more than thirty paintings. He was a founding member of the influential Ipswich Art Club and remained a member throughout his life. Cotman died in Felixstowe on 16 July 1920. Henry Edmund Cotman (1844-1914) Model Henry Edmund Cotman was born in Islington, London in 1844, the son of his namesake Henry Edmund Cotman (1802-1871) who was a merchant of silk of Norwich, and whose elder brother was the artist John Sell Cotman (1742-1842), he married Maria née Taylor (1813-1895), at Mattishall, Norfolk in 1842. The family moved to Ipswich when Henry was young and in 1851 Henry, 7, was staying with his widowed aunt, Ann Roe, 62, in London Road, Ipswich, also living with them was Ann's brother, 64- year-old Edmund Cotman, annuitant, born in Norwich. A brother of Frederick George Cotman and Thomas William Cotman with Henry also studying at the Ipswich School of Art and in February 1900 won first prize for his still life painting, the runner-up being Silvia Packard. In 1883 Henry moved to 7 Northgate Street, Ipswich, assistant to his brother, the architect Thomas William Cotman and the brothers were still living there in 1911 when Henry was a "retired engineer". Henry Edmund Cotman died at Harland House, Undercliff Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk on December 9, 1914, aged 70. He was single and left his belongings to his brothers Thomas William and Frederick George. High resolution images on request. Worldwide shipping available. Canvas: 24" x 20" / 62cm x 51cm Framed: 32" x 28" / 83.5cm x 73cm