Biographies

Frank Brangwyn (1867-1956)

Frank Brangwyn was born in Bruges, Belgium. His family moved back to London in 1875 where he attended school until 1879, when he left as much out of boredom as necessity. His father worked as an architect, muralist, and in other arts-related crafts. Frank helped around the studio and continued his own artistic education by copying drawings at what was to become the Victoria and Albert Museum. His abilities attracted the notice of more established artists and at the age of 15 he was working for William Morris getting rudimentary training and preparing designs for many aspects of Morris’ Arts and Crafts output. In 1885, with nothing much more than youthful enthusiasm, he submitted a painting to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and was accepted – at the age of 17.  By the early 20th century Brangwyn had a reputation for large pictures painted in a realistic style. He also designed furniture, carpets, textiles, ceramics, stained glass, metalwork and jewellery. During the First World War Brangwyn was an Official War Artist.