Peter Brown 2016 - Paintings of London

peter brown

paintings of London

Kodachrome image of Shaftesbury Avenue from Piccadilly Circus, London, 1949 Photo by Chalmers Butterfield.

peter brown paintings of London

2016

front cover: 1

Piccadilly Circus, Summer Afternoon, 2015 oil on canvas 152 x 190 cms 60 x 743⁄4 ins front flap: 2 4pm, The Meridian, Piccadilly, 2015 oil on canvas 64 x 51 cms 25 x 20 ins

www.messums.com 28 Cork Street, London W1S 3NG Telephone: +44 (0)20 7437 5545

3 The ‘Prêt’ Chef and the Two Fur Coats, Piccadilly, Februar y 2014 ✤ oil on canvas 64 x 51 cms 25 x 20 ins

foreword Peter’s images of our capital are neither strictly topographical as, say, those by the eighteenth-century artist Thomas Shotter Boys. Nor, despite their clear human interest, are they quite Hogarthian. But there is nevertheless a touch of both artists in his work.

Architecturally, his paintings are exacting impressions of a bustling community going about its business in all weathers. Working quickly, he is able to catch the very essence of the moment, making his pictures highly skilled impressions of everyday city life. But each painting has a personal touch, because Peter engages with his audience, often to such a degree that passersby return, hoping to find themselves included within the scene.

Nicknamed by his friends “Pete the Street”, he lives up to his reputation. Each day becomes another challenge; setting up in a public space hoping to catch the commuting traffic in all weathers is not for the faint-hearted. He often pops into our gallery first thing, having driven up from his hometown of Bath, allowing us to discuss the work in progress. With a cheery smile, and after a cup of coffee, he is back on the street to catch up again with one or two unfinished works still lurking in the back of the van. Where to paint, the light, and the weather that day all dictate the day’s work. This year Mayfair has dominated and in particular there are some substantial works that have been developed from these paintings. Otherwise, everything is created on site giving each picture that sense of moment and a freshness of colour that more studio-bound masters often lack.

My favourites in this year’s exhibition include the winter afternoon pictures, where the light from shop windows takes over, spilling over the pavements in pools of colour and silhouetting shoppers.

Wet surfaces, where you can still make out the treads of previous pedestrians, or the leftover track of a passing bicycle. These small touches beg you to look further; they take you into the picture so 4 Air Street, Evening, Study, 2015 ✤ oil on board 31 x 18 cms 12 x 6 7⁄8 ins

that it is no longer a view of a familiar place, but a shared experience of actually being there.

DM

LONDON: PAINTINGS BY PETER BROWN Peter Brown’s new book – published 1st December 2015 London: as seen through the eyes of Peter Brown, a unique artist, who eschews both photography and the convenience of the studio to paint each of his cityscapes, on site, amid the daily bustle of the capital’s streets. In fact, Brown is so dedicated to capturing the true essence of his chosen view, that, over the course of several days, he often returns to the same site in an effort to realise the specific effects of weather and atmosphere, which first caught his eye.

Extent: 200pp Size: 250 x 300 mm landscape Illustrations: over 150 full colour Binding: hardback Price: £35 ISBN: 978-1-908326-80-5

Sansom & Company 81g Pembroke Road Clifton Bristol BS8 3EA info@sansomandcompany.co.uk www.sansomandcompany.co.uk

This book presents Brown’s work as a journey of his artistic discovery of London, taking us from The City, eastward along the Thames to Tower Bridge, and westward to Parliament, the London Eye and to the very edges of Greater London: Richmond.

Through his work, we explore the ‘electric West End’, the ‘testosterone-driven City’. Brown’s keen eye for how human activity breathes life and transformation into some of London’s most iconic spaces.

While he knows London as well as his native Bath, Brown has never lost his eye for adventure, and like an intrepid tourist, he takes nothing for granted, however “familiar”. This book affords us an equal opportunity to discover London alongside him, to celebrate not only its architecture and breath-taking views, but also its local communities, markets, parks and open spaces.

His travels radiate to Golders Green and Forest Hill, Wimbledon and the East End. What is more, he takes every opportunity to present London as he immediately experiences it, whatever the weather, or time of day.

Finally, while he takes his painting seriously, Brown’s wit, warmth and curiosity about people makes him one of the most engaging and approachable artists one could ever hope to meet. In fact, part of his working practice has always been to keep a journal of the chance meetings and conversations he experiences whilst painting on London’s streets. His humanism, remarkable talent for capturing architectural perspective and light, and eye for urban energy has made him one of the most admired and collected artists working in London today.

index of wor ks

(works in this exhibition that are illustrated in Peter Brown’s new book are marked with ✤ )

4pm de Beauvoir Square, 2015 ✤ (book p. 118) 4pm, The Meridian, Piccadilly, 2015 9.30am from the Middle of Regent Street, June, 2015 ✤ (book p. 61) Air Street, Evening, Study, 2015 ✤ (book p. 192)

41 2

Piccadilly from the Middle, 4pm, June, 2015 ✤ (book p. 4 9)

Poppies, Tower of London, 2015 31 4

Air Street from Eagle Place, Evening, 2015 ✤ (book p. 192) 9

17 28

Preparing the Wicket, Putney Common, 2015 ✤ (book p. 138)

Queen’s Gate, 2015 ✤ (book p. 8 3)

55 48 6

59

Rain, Lower Regent Street I, 2015 ✤ (book p. 169)

April, St Clements and Fleet St from the Aldwych, 2014

32

Rain, Lower Regent Street II, 2015

14

Barnes from the Terrace, 2015

50

Rain, Lower Regent Street III, 2015

24

Barnes from the Terrace, Morning Sun, 2015

49

Rain, Piccadilly Circus, 2015

Bolton Place, 2015 ✤ (book p. 8 7)

46

Rain, Piccadilly Circus, 2015 ✤ (book p. 161)

Camber well Green, 2015 ✤ (book p. 130)

57

Regent Street, 6pm, June, 2015 ✤ (book p. 5 8)

Chelsea Bridge, Rain, 2015 ✤ (book p. 172)

51

Regent Street, from Gant, Summer, 2015

23

Clapham Common West, 2015 ✤ (book p. 135)

56

Richmond Park, 2015 ✤ (book p. 136)

58

Russell Square Station, 2015 ✤ (book p. 78)

29

Alma Grove, South Bermondsey, 2015 ✤ (book p. 128)

Criterion Theatre Entrance, Piccadilly Circus, Af ternoon Sun, 2015 ✤ (book p.44)

5

8 18 7

Shaf tesbur y Avenue, Evening, 2015 ✤ (book p.194)

19

Dulwich College, June Morning, 2015 ✤ (book p. 131)

70

Sloane Square, 2015 ✤ (book p. 8 6)

34

Dulwich Village, Februar y, 2015 ✤ (book p. 131)

68

Spring Parson’s Green, 2015 ✤ (book p. 143)

53

Eros’ Wet Steps, Piccadilly Circus, Rain, 2015

16

Evening Rain, Lombard Street, 2015 ✤ (book p. 165)

27

St Pancras Station from Argyle Street, Woburn, 2015 ✤ (book p.115)

33

Evening, Shepherd Market, 2015 ✤ (book p. 185)

12

End of a Winter Day, Brockwell Park, 2015

69

Summer Evening, Arnold Circus from Calver t Avenue, 2015 ✤ (book p. 156)

40

Great Russell Street, 2015

30

Hatton Garden, 2015 ✤ (book p. 7 9)

26

Sussex Place from London Street, Paddington, 2015 ✤ (book p. 9 5)

36

Herne Hill from Brockwell Park, 2015 ✤ (book p. 132)

66

Kensington Square, 2015 ✤ (book p. 9 4)

47

The Band Stand, Nor thampton Square Garden, 2015 ✤ (book p. 7 9)

39

Late Af ternoon, Jermyn Street, 2015 ✤ (book p. 191)

11

The Bottom of Shaf tesbur y Avenue from Piccadilly, 2015 ✤ (book p. 6 8)

22

Late Januar y Af ternoon, Talbot Road from Colville Square, 2015 ✤ (book p. 196)

38

Lauriston Road, Januar y, 2014 ✤ (book p. 157)

42

The Cambridge Theatre, Winter Af ternoon, 2015

20

London Fields, 2015 ✤ (book p. 119)

43

Lower Grosvenor Gardens, the Day of the Tube Strike, Summer, 2015 ✤ (book p. 4 2)

The ‘Prêt’ Chef and the Two Fur Coats, Piccadilly, Februar y 2014 ✤ (book p. 47)

3

35

The Railway Bridge, Rosendale Road from Brockwell Park, 2015 ✤ (book p. 132)

67

(book p. 179)

64

The Top of Monmouth Street, 2015 ✤ (book p. 69)

13

Muswell Hill I, 2015

44

Towards Battersea Power Station from Clapham Common, 2015 ✤ (book p. 135)

54 61

Morning’s Snow, Horniman Gardens, 2015 ✤

Muswell Hill II, 2015 ✤ (book p. 121) 45

The Cambridge Crew Training at Putney, 2015 ✤ (book p. 140)

52

Night, Piccadilly Circus, 2015

25

Peckham High Street, 2015 ✤ (book p. 129)

60

Towards Deptford Town Hall from Goodwood Road, New Cross, 2015 ✤ (book p. 128)

Peckham Rye, End of Day, 2015 ✤ (book p. 130)

62

Twilight, from Brockwell Park I, 2015 ✤ (book p. 190)

63

Piccadilly Circus from the End of Piccadilly, 4pm, June, 2015 ✤ (book p. 4 6)

Twilight, from Brockwell Park II, 2015 ✤ (book p. 133)

65

21

Twilight, Theatre Royal, Haymarket from St James’ Square, 2015

10

Winter, Regent’s Park, 2015

37

Piccadilly Circus, Summer Af ternoon, 2015

1

Piccadilly from the Middle, 2pm, June, 2015 ✤ (book p. 4 8)

15

5 Criterion Theatre Entrance, Piccadilly Circus, Afternoon Sun, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 76 x 64 cms 30 x 25 ins

6 Rain, Lower Regent Street I, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 51 x 64 cms 20 x 25 ins

7 Regent Street, 6pm, June, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 51 x 64 cms 20 x 25 ins

8 Rain, Piccadilly Circus, 2015 oil on canvas 152 x 190 cms 59 7⁄8 x 743⁄4 ins

9 Air Street from Eagle Place, Evening, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 102 x 51 cms 40 x 20 ins

10 Twilight, Theatre Royal, Haymarket from St James’ Square, 2015 oil on board 25 x 31 cms 10 x 12 ins

11 Late Afternoon, Jermyn Street, 2015 ✤ oil on board 31 x 41 cms 12 x 16 ins

12 Evening, Shepherd Market, 2015 ✤ oil on board 41 x 31 cms 16 x 12 ins

13 The Top of Monmouth Street, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 41 x 51 cms 16 x 20 ins

14 Rain, Lower Regent Street II, 2015 oil on canvas 102 x 51 cms 40 x 20 ins

15 Piccadilly from the Middle, 2pm, June, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 51 x 64 cms 20 x 25 ins

16 Eros’ Wet Steps, Piccadilly Circus, Rain, 2015 oil on board 76 x 89 cms 30 x 35 ins

17 Piccadilly from the Middle, 4pm, June, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 51 x 64 cms 20 x 25 ins

18 Rain, Piccadilly Circus, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 89 x 76 cms 35 x 30 ins

19 Shaftesbur y Avenue, Evening, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 64 x 51 cms 25 x 20 ins

20 The Cambridge Theatre, Winter Afternoon, 2015 oil on canvas 30 x 92 cms 113â „4 x 36 ins

21 Piccadilly Circus from the End of Piccadilly, 4pm, June, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 64 x 76 cms 25 x 30 ins

22 The Bottom of Shaftesbur y Avenue from Piccadilly, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 64 x 76 cms 25 x 30 ins

23 Regent Street, from Gant, Summer, 2015 oil on canvas 64 x 76 cms 25 x 30 ins

24 Rain, Lower Regent Street III, 2015 oil on canvas 89 x 76 cms 35 x 30 ins

25 Night, Piccadilly Circus, 2015 oil on canvas 76 x 89 cms 30 x 35 ins

26 Hatton Garden, 2015 ✤ oil on board 15 x 30 cms 6 x 113⁄4 ins

27 Evening Rain, Lombard Street, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 51 x 41 cms 20 x 16 ins

28 Poppies, Tower of London, 2015 oil on canvas 51 x 64 cms 19 7⁄8 x 25 ins

29 Russell Square Station, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 64 x 51 cms 25 x 20 ins

30 Great Russell Street, 2015 oil on canvas 51 x 41 cms 20 x 16 ins

31 9.30am from the Middle of Regent Street, June, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 51 x 64 cms 20 x 25 ins

32 April, St Clements and Fleet St from the Aldwych, 2014 ✤ oil on canvas 89 x 76 cms 35 x 30 ins

33 St Pancras Station from Argyle Street, Woburn, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 51 x 41 cms 20 x 16 ins

34 Sloane Square, 2015 ✤ oil on board 20 x 60 cms 8 x 23 3⁄4 ins

35 Lower Grosvenor Gardens, the Day of the Tube Strike, Summer, 2015 ✤ oil on board 15 x 31 cms 6 x 12 ins

36 Sussex Place from London Street, Paddington, 2015 ✤ oil on board 20 x 50 cms 8 x 19 1⁄2 ins

37 Winter, Regent’s Park, 2015 oil on canvas 31 x 92 cms 12 x 36 ins

38 Late Januar y Afternoon, Talbot Road from Colville Square, 2015 ✤ oil on board 31 x 18 cms 12 x 6 7⁄8 ins

39 The Band Stand, Nor thampton Square Garden, 2015 ✤ oil on board 15 x 30 cms 6 x 113⁄4 ins

40 Summer Evening, Arnold Circus from Calver t Avenue, 2015 ✤ oil on board 15 x 30 cms 6 x 113⁄4 ins

41 4pm de Beauvoir Square, 2015 ✤ oil on board 15 x 30 cms 6 x 113⁄4 ins

42 Lauriston Road, Januar y, 2014 ✤ oil on board 25 x 31 cms 10 x 12 ins

43 London Fields, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 31 x 92 cms 12 x 36 ins

44 Muswell Hill I, 2015 oil on board 25 x 31 cms 10 x 12 ins

45 Muswell Hill II, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 41 x 51 cms 16 x 20 ins

46 Bolton Place, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 51 x 64 cms 20 x 25 ins

47 Kensington Square, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 64 x 76 cms 25 x 30 ins

48 Queen’s Gate, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 89 x 76 cms 35 x 30 ins

49 Barnes from the Terrace, Morning Sun, 2015 oil on board 20 x 61 cms 8 x 24 ins

50 Barnes from the Terrace, 2015 oil on board 20 x 61 cms 8 x 24 ins

51 Chelsea Bridge, Rain, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 76 x 51 cms 30 x 20 ins

52 The Cambridge Crew Training at Putney, 2015 ✤ oil on board 20 x 61 cms 8 x 24 ins

53 Spring Parson’s Green, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 31 x 92 cms 12 x 36 ins

54 Preparing the Wicket, Putney Common, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 31 x 92 cms 12 x 36 ins

55 Towards Battersea Power Station from Clapham Common, 2015 ✤ oil on board 20 x 60 cms 8 x 23 3⁄4 ins

56 Clapham Common West, 2015 ✤ oil on board 20 x 60 cms 8 x 233⁄4 ins

57 Camber well Green, 2015 ✤ oil on board 20 x 61 cms 8 x 24 ins

58 Richmond Park, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 31 x 92 cms 12 x 36 ins

59 Alma Grove, South Bermondsey, 2015 ✤ oil on board 15 x 31 cms 6 x 12 ins

60 Peckham High Street, 2015 ✤ oil on board 20 x 25 cms 8 x 10 ins

61 Towards Deptford Town Hall from Goodwood Road, New Cross, 2015 ✤ oil on board 31 x 25 cms 12 x 10 ins

62 Peckham Rye, End of Day, 2015 ✤ oil on board 20 x 61 cms 8 x 24 ins

63 Twilight, from Brockwell Park I, 2015 ✤ oil on board 20 x 60 cms 8 x 23 3⁄4 ins

64 Morning’s Snow, Horniman Gardens, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 25 x 76 cms 10 x 30 ins

65 Twilight, from Brockwell Park II, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 31 x 92 cms 12 x 36 ins

66 Herne Hill from Brockwell Park, 2015 ✤ oil on board 20 x 20 cms 73⁄4 x 8 ins

67 The Railway Bridge, Rosendale Road from Brockwell Park, 2015 ✤ oil on canvas 51 x 64 cms 20 x 25 ins

68 Dulwich Village, Februar y, 2015 ✤ oil on board 18 x 31 cms 67⁄8 x 12 ins

69 End of a Winter Day, Brockwell Park, 2015 oil on board 30 x 41 cms 113⁄4 x 16 ins

70 Dulwich College, June Morning, 2015 ✤ oil on board 31 x 41 cms 12 x 16 ins

CDIV

ISBN 978-1-908486-96-7 Publication No: CDIV Published by David Messum Fine Art Š David Messum Fine Art

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior permission in writing from the publisher.

The Studio, Lords Wood, Marlow, Buckinghamshire.

Tel: 01628 486565 www.messums.com Photography: Steve Russell Printed by DLM-Creative

peter brown

n e ac r p ro i p s r ba ( h o n )

Born 1967

Award s

Member ships

Open E xhibitions

2013 The Critics’ Choice, (New English Art Club) 2012 The Critics’ Choice, (New English Art Club) 2012 Runner up, Lynn Painter Stainers Prize 2011 The Critics’ Choice (New English Art Club) Painter Stainers’ Award (New English Art Club) 2nd Prize, The RAC Centenary Exhibition 2009 The Critic’s Choice (New English Art Club) 2008 Prince of Wales Award for Portrait Drawing 2006 First Artist-in-Residence at the Savoy Hotel, London 2005 Hunting Art Prizes: the Drawing Prize; The Cross Gate Gallery Purchase Prize 2002 The Arts Club Award (New English Art Club) 2001 The Arts Club Award (Pastel Society); Selected to be hung at the National Portrait Gallery from the 2001 RP show 2000 W.H.Patterson Memorial Award (New English Art Club) 1999 The Llewellyn Alexander Award (New English Art Club) 1998 The Bristol Fine Art Oil Painting Prize (Royal West of England Academy); The Tom Rice Gallery Award (Pastel Society) 1997 The Saint Cuthbert’s Mill Award (Royal Society of British Artists) 1996 The Pastel Society Non-Members Award

New English Art Club Royal Society of British Artists (Honorary) Royal Society of Portrait Painters Royal Institute of Oil Painters Pastel Society Bath Society of Artists

Lyn Painter Stainers Prize finalist 2007/2008/2012/2013 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition: 2002/03/04/06/10/11 The Hunting Art Prizes finalist: 1998/99, 2000/01 The First RWA Open Painting Exhibition: 2001 The Discerning Eye: 1999, 2000/02/11 The Laing Art Competition: 2001 New English Art Club: 1997 to date Royal West of England Academy: 1997/99, 2000/02 Royal Institute of Oil Painters: 1995/98, 2000, to date Pastel Society: 1996 to date Cheltenham Open Drawing: 1998 Bath Society of Artists: 1995 to date

Collec tions The National Library of Wales; The Victoria Art Gallery, Bath; The Holburne Museum, Bath; The Building of Bath Museum, Bath; The Bowerman Collection; House of Fraser; The RAC Club; Howard de Walden Estate; The Target Corporation; The Drapers’ Company; Sir John Sunderland

One Man E xhibitions 2016 Messums (Paintings of London) 2014 Messums (en route) 2014 Victoria Art Gallery, Bath 2013 Messums (home and abroad) 2013 Messums (Paintings of India) 2012 Messum’s Cork Street, London 2011 Victoria Art Gallery, Bath 2010 Messum’s, Cork Street, London 2009 Messum’s, Cork Street, London Alexander Meddowes, Edinburgh 2008 Messum’s, Cork Street, London; Victoria Art Gallery, Bath 2007 Messum’s, Cork Street, London 2005 Messum’s, Cork Street, London; Victoria Art Gallery, Bath 2004 Messum’s, Cork Street, London 2003 W.H.Patterson Fine Arts, London 2002 W.H.Patterson Fine Arts, London 2002 Victoria Art Gallery, Bath 2000 Victoria Art Gallery, Bath

Group E xhibitions 2015 ‘Varanasi’ 4 man show at Indar Pasricha Fine Art, London 2013 Five painters in India, The Tryon Gallery, London 1999–2010 Albany Gallery, Cardiff; Alresford Gallery, Alresford; The Arts Club, London; Champs Hill, Pulborough (courtesy of the Bowermans); Fountain Fine Art, Llandeilo; Island Fine Arts, Isle of Wight; Red Rag Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold; W.H.Patterson Fine Arts, London

Public ations London: Paintings by Peter Brown, hardback, published: Samson and Company 2015, ISBN 978 1 908326 80 5 DVD Peter Brown: Oil Sketches APV Films 2013 My Indian Travels, by Peter Brown, Hardback published 2013, ISBN 978 1 908486 41 7 Brown’s Bath: The Work of Peter Brown, published 2008, ISBN 978 0 9559727 0 6 Exhibition catalogues (x13) 2002–2011

Broadc as t s A Picture of Bath, BBC1 for Inside Out series, September 2004 A Picture of Bath, BBC Radio Bristol for ‘A Sense of Place’ series, May 2002

Ar t Educ ation 1992/93 PGCE(FE) University of Greenwich 1987/90 BA (Hons) Fine Art 2:1, Manchester Polytechnic 1986/7 Diploma in Art Foundation Studies (commendation in painting) BCHE, Bath

www.messums.com