|
A FAMOUS ARTIST E.
BENT WALKER A
famous Wigan artist Mr. Edward Bent Walker, the well-known painter, is a
WIGAN man. For he was born
near MAB'S CROSS in 1860 and his early years as an artist were spent in
Lancashire. First at
Liverpool, where he studied under SIGNOR DASTIS, The Spanish painter and
afterwards at Manchester, where he was one of the brightest students of
the School of Art and a favourite pupil of the late J.H.E. PARTINGTON. A
locally famous portrait painter, Mr. Walker afterwards went to SIR
HUBERT VON HERKOMER, RA's famous school at BUSHEY, near London &
here he had a distinguished career as a student & later as chief
coach. In the latter
capacity his success was so marked that SIR B.W. LEADER RA, the popular
painter, put his son under Mr. Walkers' tuition & both the sons of
MR. R CATO-WOODVILLE, the well-known black and white artist, also
studied under him. Leaving
BUSHEY, Mr. Walker went to London. Where he has done work that has won
him the admiration of discerning artists.
He exhibited at the ROYAL ACADEMY nearly thirty years ago.
He has been awarded the GOLD MEDAL OF THE CHILIAN GOVERNMENT,
which specially asked him to exhibit at the CHILIAN EXHIBITION a few
years ago. Perhaps his best
known portrait is that of the late PROFESSOR EBENEZER PROUT, which was
painted on the commission of THE INCORPORATED SOCIETY OF MUSICIANS in
whose rooms in London it now hangs.(OIL 1904) Professor Prout left the
portrait to THE NATIONAL GALLERY & it will ultimately be hung there.
Among other well-known canvasses of Mr. walkers are the LATE
ALDERMAN MCDOUGAL, which is in the MANCHESTER CITY ART GALLERY, THE
MAYOR OF FAVERSHAM, THE MAYOR OF CREWE.
Mr. Walker's strong points are his fine vigour, his magnificent
colouring and his acute sense of drawing. Two years ago he had a long
stay in VENICE & his originality & impressionist pictures were
the admiration of the best critics during exhibition in London. To
instance his versatility as a painter and craftsman of the highest
schools of art, there are TWO LARGE TAPESTRY SCREENS which hang in the
TOWN HALLS OF GLASGOW AND EDINGBURGH, which were designed by him.
They represent the lives of the Patron Saints of each city, viz:
- SAINT KENTIGERN & SAINT COLUMBA. He has periodical visits to
LIVERPOOL & MANCHESTER & is at the later city this week with a
fine exhibition of his PICTURES OF THE RIBBLE VALLEY. EXHIBITED
1896 TO 1916 FLOWER,
FIGURE & PORTRAIT PAINTER, BUSHEY, HERT'S 1896 LONDON
1901 + M1 P1 RA3 RO1.1 M.
Manchester City Art Gallery Royal
Society of Portrait Painters RA.
Royal Academy RO1.
Royal Institute of Oil Painters Also
known paintings are: ON PLEASURE BENT & THE DEAD BIRD |
