Frank Cadogan Cowper

Frank Cadogan Cowper (* October 16, 1877, † November 17, 1958 ) was an English artist, who has been called " the last of the Pre-Raphaelite ".

Cowper was Wicken, Northamptonshire born as the son of the writer and pioneer of Jachtküstensegelns Frank Cowper. He first studied art in 1896 at the St John 's Wood Art School and then from 1897 to 1902 at the Royal Academy School. His first exhibition was held in 1899 at the Royal Academy. His first major success was two years later, his image on Aristocrat answering the Summons to Execution, Paris 1791 (1901 ). In 1902, he studied six months, by Edwin Austin Abbey, before he went on a study trip to Italy.

He created paintings, especially watercolors and oil, but also worked as a book illustrator - for example, Sir Sidney Lee's book, The Imperial Shakespeare. He participated in the mural paintings in the English parliament building in 1910 along with Byam Shaw, Ernest Board and Henry Arthur Payne.

Over the next several years he focused primarily on portrait painting, but also continued his images of historical and literary motifs continue.

In advanced age he left London in favor of Cirencester in Gloucestershire.

His The Ugly Duckling was chosen by visitors as the most impressive painting in Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum in 2005.

Memberships

• Royal Watercolour Society ( candidate from 1904, full member since 1911 ).
• Royal Academy ( candidate from 1907, full member from 1934).