Norman Wilkinson (PRI, RBA, ROI, RSMA, HRWS, CBE 1878-1971)
Artist in oil, watercolour and dry point, usually of marine subjects but also landscapes. Author, illustrator & poster artist. Born Cambridge 24/11/1878 and educated at Berkhamsted School and St. Paul's Cathedral choir school. Studied art at Portsmouth & Southsea School of Art where he later taught. Contributed to Illustrated London News from 1898 for a long time. Worked under Louis Grier in Cornwall. Made important contribution in World War One by inventing 'dazzle camouflage' for shipping. Travelled extensively by sea. Produced posters for the LNWR from 1905 and later achieved a prolific output for the LMS. In 1906, Wilkinson was elected to the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours (RI) becoming its President in 1936, an office he held until 1963. He was elected Honorable Marine Painter to the Royal Yacht Squadron in 1919. He was a member of the Royal Society of British Artists, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Royal Society of Marine Artists, and Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Water Colors. He was knighted and appointed a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 1948. Well represented in public collections including NRM and Greenwich, National Maritime Museum icluding 54 paintings of major sea battles. Lived London and worked into his nineties. Died 30/5/1971.
Produced artwork for series.
