EDWARD SEAGO 8 JUNE – 6 JULY 2018 Monday – Friday 10 am – 6 pm
PORTLAND GALLE RY 3 BENNET STREET
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LONDON SW1A 1RP
T E L E P H O N E 020 7493 1888
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EMAIL art@portlandgallery.com
www.portlandgallery.com Front cover: Elm Trees - Sunshine After Storm Back cover: Flowers on a Blue Stove
Oil on board 16 x 18 ins Catalogue no.21
Oil on canvas 30 x 20 ins Catalogue no.30
“To my mind there are few places to equal the bleak stretches of the East Anglian coast. Perhaps one has to be born and bred there for it to really get in one’s blood. But it has a powerful hold on me, and, wherever I go, I feel a longing to return there.” Edward Seago, Peace in War, Collins, London, 1943, p. 21
1. Barges and Dinghies - Pin Mill Signed (lower left) Oil on board 16 x 24 ins Provenance:
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Marlborough Fine Art Ltd., London Private Collection
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2. Woodbridge, Suffolk Signed (lower left) Watercolour 12 x 19 ins Exhibited:
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Royal Society of Painters in Watercolour, London
3. Thames Barges Off Landguard Point Signed (lower left) Oil on board 20 x 30 ins Provenance:
Private Collection
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4. Suffolk Village Bears estate stamp (lower left) Oil on board 14 x 20 ins Provenance:
Private Collection
Literature:
James Russell, Edward Seago, Lund Humphries, London, 2014, p. 74, pl. 78, illustrated
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“[The estuary mudflats had] a tremendous hold on me, those great expanses of smooth, treacherous mud which trickled and bubbles as though it were boiling beneath the surface.� Edward Seago, Tideline, Collins, London, 1948, p. 16
5. Spritsail Barges at Pin Mill Signed (lower left) Oil on board 20 x 30 ins Provenance:
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Sotheby's 1997 The Taylor Gallery Private Collection
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6. Valley of the Deben Signed (lower left) Oil on board 18 x 24 ins Provenance:
P & D Colnaghi & Co., London Private Collection Acquired from the above by the present owner
Exhibited:
Portland Gallery, London, Edward Seago, 2007, cat. no.45
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“I have only a simple perception, but the country is full of simple things of real beauty, and many of them may pass unnoticed by those more out of touch with a simple life.� Edward Seago, Peace in War, Collins, London, 1944, p. 11
7. Root Field Signed (lower left) Oil on canvas 23 x 30 ins Provenance:
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John Noott Gallery Private Collection
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8. Floodwater, Norfolk Signed (lower left) Oil on board 16 x 24 ins Provenance:
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P & D Colnaghi & Co., London Portland Gallery Private Collection
9. Landscape with the River Bure Signed (lower left) Oil on board 20 x 30 ins Provenance:
P & D Colnaghi & Co., London Private Collection, New Zealand
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“How strange it all was, and how oddly full of colour. I wondered, then, why we always regard snow as being white. Not one piece of pure whiteness could I see. Pearl grey, blue, pink, yellow, violet - all these, but never white.� Edward Seago, A Canvas to Cover, Collins, London 1947, p. 103
10. Ludham Church, Winter Signed (lower left) Oil on canvas 28 x 36 ins Provenance:
P & D Colnaghi & Co., London Private Collection
Literature:
Edward Seago, Tideline, Collins, London, 1948, illustrated Horace Shipp, Edward Seago: Painter in the English Tradition, Collins, London, 1952, pl. 2, illustrated James Russell, Edward Seago, Lund Humphries, London, 2014, p. 65, pl. 64, illustrated
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11. The Rainbow: St Benet’s Abbey Signed (lower left) Oil on board 26 x 36 ins Provenance:
Private Collection
Exhibited:
Marlborough Fine Art, London, Edward Seago, Paintings and Watercolours, November 1972, cat. no.3 Marlborough Fine Art, London, Edward Seago 1910- 1974 Memorial Exhibition, December 1974, cat. no.2 The Fine Art Society, London, November 1965, no.2937
Literature:
Jean Goodman, Edward Seago, The Other Side of the Canvas, Jarrold Publishing, Peterborough, 1990 edition, cover, illustrated James Russell, Edward Seago, Lund Humphries, London, 2014, p. 71, pl. 74, illustrated
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12. Arrival of the Royal Yacht ‘Britannia’ in the Port of London, 15th May, 1954 Signed (lower left) Oil on canvas 18 x 26 ins Provenance:
Private Collection
Exhibited:
The Fine Art Society, London, November 1965, no. 2937
Literature:
James Reid, Edward Seago, The Landscape Art, Philip Wilson Publishers, London, 1991, p. 35, pl. 32, illustrated
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13. Harbour Steps, Honfleur Signed (lower left) Oil on board 12 x 16 ins Provenance:
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Private Collection
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14. Off Cowes Signed (lower left) Oil on board 11 x 16 ins
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15. Winter Morning, Strand on the Green Signed (lower left) Oil on board 20 x 30 ins Provenance:
P & D Colnaghi & Co., London Private Collection
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16. The Wirral Signed and dated ‘50’ (lower left) Oil on board 12 x 16 ins Provenance:
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P & D Colnaghi & Co., London
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“To my mind [Salisbury Cathedral] is the most beautiful spire in England and it would be hard to imagine a finer setting than the soft fields of Salisbury Plain” Edward Seago, A Canvas to Cover, Collins, London, 1947, p. 91
17. Rainclouds Over Salisbury Signed with initial ‘S’ and dated ‘35’ (lower right) Oil on board 12 x 16 ins Provenance:
Lord Melchett Marlborough Fine Art, London Private Collection
Literature:
John Masefield and Edward Seago, The Country Scene, Collins, London, 1937, p. 68, illustrated
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18. Along the Seine, The Wide Terrace, Tuileries Gardens Signed (lower left) Oil on canvas 20 x 26 ins Provenance:
Richard Green, London, where purchased by the present owner
Literature:
James Russell, Edward Seago, Lund Humphries, London, 2014, p. 119, pl. 131, illustrated
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19. Château Gauillard
20. A Road in Italy
Signed (lower left) Oil on board 12 x 16 ins
Signed (lower left) Oil on canvas 20 x 24 ins
Provenance:
Provenance:
Sotheby's, 1988 Richard Green, London, 1989 Private Collection
Literature:
Edward Seago, A Canvas to Cover, Collins, London, 1947, facing p. 53, illustrated
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Acquired directly from Peter Seymour by the present owner's husband
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21. Elm Trees - Sunshine After Storm Signed and dated ‘1944’ (verso) Oil on board 16 x 18 ins Provenance:
Gifted to Squadron-Leader G.S.M. Warlow by the artist By descent to the present Private Collection, Nova Scotia
Exhibited:
The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, London
Literature:
Edward Seago, A Canvas to Cover, Collins, London, 1947, facing p. 50, illustrated
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22. Ash Trees, Norfolk Signed (lower left) Watercolour 15 x 21 ins Provenance:
Royal Society of Painters in Watercolours, London Private Collection
23. The Sluice Gate Oil on board 16 x 24 ins Provenance:
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Estate of Edward Seago
24. High Pasture Signed (lower left) Watercolour 11 x 15 ins Provenance:
P & D Colnaghi & Co., London Panter & Hall, London Private Collection
Exhibited:
Marlborough Fine Art, London, Edward Seago 1910-1974 Memorial Exhibition, December 1974, cat. no. 85
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“[Seago] worships the earth and sea and sky, hates all-isms, does not ask us to brood about our subconscious but merely to count our blessings and enjoy the gifts of nature.� Frank Davis (critic), The highly prized artist who tells us the best things in life are free, Art & Antiques, March 1971, pp 16-17
25. Moroccan Landscape Signed (lower left) Oil on board 18 x 24 ins Provenance:
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The Estate of Edward Seago
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26. The Basket Seller, Essaouira, Morocco Signed (lower left) Watercolour 14 x 10 ins Provenance:
Richard Green, London The Wykeham Galleries, Stockbridge Private Collection
Literature:
Ron Ranson, Edward Seago: The Vintage Years, David & Charles Ltd., Cincinnati, OH, 2006 edition, p. 46, illustrated
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27. Flower Market by the Spanish Steps Signed (lower left) Watercolour 10 x 15 ins Provenance:
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P & D Colnaghi & Co., London Christie's, London Private Collection
28. Chioggia Signed (lower left) Watercolour 15 x 21 ins Provenance:
Marlborough Fine Art, London, 1970 Private Collection
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“In numerous paintings of flowers Seago captured the beauty of natural forms…but he also picked on quirkier subjects…and one can imagine him in an idle moment, on a wet day perhaps, toying with these objects and then seeing the composition take shape before him” James Russell, Edward Seago, Lund Humphries, London, 2014, p. 114
Edward Brian Seago Photographer: Russell Westwood
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29. The Goblet Signed and dated ‘51’ (lower left) Oil on board 16 x 12 ins Provenance:
The Estate of Edward Seago
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BIOGRAPHY 1910 1924 1929 1930-33
Born in Norwich 31 March at 13 Christchurch Road. The Family moved to Brooke, Norfolk. First solo exhibition in London at the Arlington Gallery. Spent most of his time with travelling circuses in Great Britain and on the Continent. 1933 Published his first book, Circus Company. 1935 Drawing for magazines including Punch and spending his time between the family home in Norfolk and his London Studio in Chelsea. 1936 Exhibition in London at the Alpine Gallery. 1937 Published the first of three books produced in collaboration with John Masefield. Spent three months in Monte Carlo making studies of the ballet in rehearsal and then went with the company to New York. 1938 First exhibition in New York at the Carstairs Gallery. 1939-44 Served with the Royal Engineers. 1944 Invited by Field Marshal Alexander to work in Italy during the Italian Campaign. 1945 Held his first exhibition at Colnaghi’s in London, of Italian War pictures, where exhibitions of his work were held annually until 1967. 1945 Acquired the Dutch House, Ludham. 1946 Elected a member of the Royal Society of British Artists. 1948 First exhibition in Scotland at the Annan Gallery, Glasgow. 1950 First exhibition in Canada, at the Laing Gallery, Toronto. 1951 First painting trip to Holland; returned in 1953, 1954 and 1969. First painting trip to France; returned in 1952, 1956, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1964 and 1967. 1952 Exhibition at the Kennedy Gallery, New York. 1953 Appointed one of the official Coronation artists. First painting trips to Portugal and Spain. 1954 Exhibition at the Cowie Gallery, Los Angeles. 1955 Visited Italy; returned in 1957 and 1958. 1956 First painting trips to Singapore and Antarctica. 1956-57 Accompanied the Duke of Edinburgh on his tour around the world on Britannia.
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1957 1958
1959 1962 1962
1963 1964 1966 1968 1971 1973 1974
2004
A loan exhibition at St James’s Palace of pictures painted during the tour. Elected Associate of Royal Watercolour Society. First exhibition in Brussels, at the Galerie Breughel. Designed the set for the London production of William Golding’s play, The Brass Butterfly. Elected a member of the Royal Watercolour Society. Retrospective loan exhibition at the Castle Museum, presented by Norwich Corporation. Commissioned by John Swire (Chairman of the Far Eastern Trading & Shipping Group) to paint a series of landscapes of Hong Kong. Retrospective loan exhibition at the Castle Museum, presented by Norwich Corporation. First exhibition in South Africa, at the Pieter Wenning Gallery, Johannesburg. Exhibition at the Russell Button Gallery, Chicago. First painting trip to Greece. First painting trip to Morocco; returned in 1967 and 1968. First exhibition with Marlborough Fine Art, London. First exhibition in Tokyo. First painting trip to Istanbul. First exhibition in Switzerland at the Marlborough Galerie, Zurich. Died 19th January. Memorial exhibition at Marlborough Fine Art, London, December. First exhibition at Portland Gallery.
EXHIBITIONS 1929 1933 1936 1938 1939 1944 1944 1945 1946 1948 1950 1950 1952 1952 1953 1954 1954 1957 1958 1962 1963 1964 1968 1970 1971 1973 1974 1974 1979 1981
Arlington Gallery, London Sporting Gallery, London (again 1934, 1937) Alpine Club Gallery, London (again 1937) Carstairs Gallery, New York Medici Gallery, London Norwich Castle Museum, Norwich City Art Gallery, Bristol P & D Colnaghi, London (regularly until 1967) Norwich Castle Museum, Norwich (Italian War Pictures); City Art Gallery, Bristol Annan Gallery, Glasgow The Assembly House, Norwich Laing Gallery, Toronto (regularly in 1950s) Kennedy Gallery, New York (again 1954, 1956, 1959, 1961) Watson Gallery, Montreal Oslo / Bergen, Norway King’s Lynn Festival (Loan Exhibition) Cowie Gallery, Los Angeles (again 1962) St James’s Palace, London Galerie Breughel, Brussels (again 1960) Norwich Castle Museum, Norwich (Loan Exhibition) Pieter Wenning Gallery, Johannesburg (again 1971, 1975) Russell Button Gallery, Chicago Maxwell Galleries, San Francisco Marlborough Fine Art, London (regularly until 1985) Fuji Television Gallery, Tokyo Marlborough Galerie, Zurich Fermoy Art Gallery, King’s Lynn Marlborough Fine Art, London (Memorial Exhibition) Marlborough Cervo Tennis Club, Porto Cervo, Sardinia Marlborough Fine Art, Mandarin Hotel, Hong Kong
1981 1981 1981 1987 1992 1999 2002 2006 2010 2012 2014
Richard Green Gallery, London (regularly - 2012) Thomas Gibson Fine Art Ltd, London (again 1987) Coe Kerr Gallery, New York Spink and Son Ltd, London John Noott Galleries, Broadway Fine Art Society, Edward Seago's War Paintings Portland Gallery, London (again 2004, 2007) Jeremy Taylor Gallery, London (regularly since) Portland Gallery, London (Centenary Exhibition) Portland Gallery, London (Diamond Jubilee Exhibition) Portland Gallery, London (again 2016)
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery National Trust Government Art Collection Royal Air Force Museum Southend Museums Service National Army Museum Imperial War Museums National Portrait Gallery, London The Keep Military Museum Reading Museum Great Yarmouth Museums Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge Pallant House Gallery, Chichester Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia Bradford Museums and Galleries City of London Corporation Bristol Museum and Art Gallery Yale Centre for British Art
All images of artworks © The Estate of Edward Seago, courtesy of Portland Gallery Photograph p.44 © estate of Russell Westwood / National Portrait Gallery, London
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Edward Seago was represented by P & D Colnaghi & Co., London, then Marlborough Fine Art, London. Portland Gallery has represented the Estate of Edward Seago since 2009.