Robert Anning Bell - Inspiration

Robert Anning Bell - Inspiration

£1,850

ROBERT ANNING BELL

(1863-1933)


Inspiration


Signed and dated l.l.: R A Bell ’18; signed and inscribed with title on the reverse (beneath the backboard)

Oil on board

Framed


29.5 by 12 cm., 11 ½ by 4 ¾ in.

(frame size 36 by 18 cm., 14 by 7 in.


Born in London and educated at University College School until the age of fifteen when he became articled to his uncle as an architect.  Two years later he entered the Royal Academy Schools and Westminster School of Art before a time spent studying under Aime Morot in Paris.  On his return to England, he shared a studio with the sculptor George Frampton. With Frampton he created a series of designs for an altarpiece, which was exhibited at the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society and later installed in the Church of St Clare, Liverpool.  During this time he began an association with the Della Robbia Pottery in Birkenhead.    He then spent a further period studying in Italy before returning to Britain and taking an appointment as chief of the design section of the Glasgow School of Art (1918-1924) and as professor of design at the Royal College of Art.  


Anning Bell exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1885 and joined the New English Art Club in 1888.  Preferring to work in watercolour he also painted in tempera and oil as well as making many designs for murals and stained glass.  His work often incorporated symbolism.


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