Frank Sherwin Watercolour and Poster Artist.Frank Sherwin was born in Derby on 19 May 1896, the son of Samuel Sherwin, a prominent member of Derby Sketching Club. He studied at Derby School of Art and then from 1920 the Heatherleys School of Fine Art in Chelsea.
He was a painter of landscape and marine views in both oils and watercolour, but specialised in the latter.
He was best known for his railway posters, promoting travel by rail to holiday destinations all over the British Isles. A member of The Royal Society of British Artists and the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, he lived in Cookham on the River Thames for 46 years until his death in 1986. He was as I remember him a very quiet and unasuming man, who was devoted to his family and his art.
He exhibited his prolific work regularly in London between 1926 and 1947, and was shown at The Royal Academy, and the Arlington Gallery, as well as The Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, among others. Derby Art Gallery have examples of his paintings. Not as well known as Sir Stanley Spencer maybe, but his work was viewed by millions who travelled the country by train, enticing them to take a holiday at one resort or other. During the war I believe his water colour production was used in many Wartime Posters but, I cannot substansiate this fact. I do know though, that he was an advisor to the War Office on camouflarge of airfields in East Anglia.
23 comments:
Thanks very much for posting about Frank Sherwin (who was my grandfather). As far as I know he didn't do any war posters during WW2 - but I could well be wrong, and there maybe some out there. He did definitely work in camouflage though.
My family are all enjoying your blog.
i have a watercolour signed by frank sherwin where would the best place to find out more details about the picture, looks like it was painted in a scottish glen with a river running through it a little bridge over the river there are 3 or 4 houses on one side of the river and mountains in the background. my email address is jwi1957@hotmail.co.uk any information would be nice. thanks james
To Frances Castle... Yes he did do Railway posters both before, during and after the war.. there many examples all over the internet...
try here
http://www.travellingartgallery.com/landscape/print/list/artist/A051.html
My favorite print hangs in my dining/kitchen. It was found in a warehouse in Pittsburgh PA. It is a framed watercolor print titled "A Market Gateway in Brittany" by F. Sherwin. It is beautiful, easy on the eye, with soft colors and old world charm. I've owned it for 25 years, but just thought to look up the artist. It gives me such joy. Does anyone have an idea when it may have been painted? Thank you.
are sherwins water colour paintings valuable... I have two which are very old... beautiful they are..
I am always keen on purchasing works by Frank Sherwin so please email me at apfa@btopenworld.com.
To david Solo
I know he did railway posters - but James mentions War posters and as far as I know he didn't do any.
Thanks for this!
My husband and I just framed and hung a print of his Penzance railway poster on our living room wall. It's so nice to know a little bit about the artist behind it!
I nearly flung out a Frank Sherwin. I had on my boyhood bedroom wall about 50 years ago!
I am now in Canada and was cleaning out when I found it. It is ripped and damaged but original. The picture is of a group (flotilla) of old sailboats becalmed near a shore.
I can send an image if anybody is interested.
Does anyone know if Frank was married to M C Sherwin? I have an oil painting done by someone of that name who lived in Cookham.
Hi everyone,. I also have a signed watercolour by Frank Sherwin Dated 1938.Its of a Sea scene.As I live in Derby I will go to the art gallery and see if I can find out more, but its good to finally know a little about this artist.
I have signed water colour signed frank sherwin, of loch/lake with small island in middle,could be loch lomond and a small tethered fishing boat on mainland, main tomes and colours are green.can you tell me more about it and if it has any value..thank you.
99hello I too have an original watercolour by Frank Sherwin,it entitled 'Cape Finestre' Morgat Harbour.I just love it&would like to know more information about when the artist would have painted the scene,plus the approximate value,not that I would ever wish to part with the painting.
For Ivan et al. In my store in Los Angeles, CA (Hecho en Echo), I have 2 Alfred Bell & Co. Ltd original First Edition prints of Cape Finisterre (Morgat Harbour) and Concarneau (The Jetty).
in small print above the artwork it says Alfred Bell & Co. Ltd Six Old Bond Street , London W1 Original First Edition 1945 Copyright
the water colour print is signed Frank Sherwin.
Below the artwork in small print: Painted by Frank Sherwin across from that Copyright 1945 in the United states of America Printed in London England.
Both are framed and on the back of each a sticker with the name of the framer "Geisler Bros. Art Dealers 5627 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh PA." Below that made with a rubber stamp is the date October 26,1946 and the name AGNES HORKY. (presumably the customer's name)
THis website might be a good place to research values of the Frank Sherwin watercolours:
http://www.findartinfo.com/search/listprices.asp?keyword=12003
I have some posters by him
I have just come across a water colour signed frank Sherwin, it is a canal scene, but there is no date and it is very dirty. It was the backing to a print of Roses in a frame, given to my partner to put on his wall when he moved into his flat in 1970's.I didn't like the roses and removing from the frame found the Frank Sherwin print underneath.
I have 'Mountains of Mourne' which is a bit atmospheric it may be a comment there is a suggestion of a reservoir in the background. I cannot find the location.
I have the original mountains of mourne with pencil writing on the back. I believe. Please can anyone help. If frank did this work ,would it be worth anything
Thank you for the informative blog. I was cleaning out an old box from my in-laws and found Fishing boats at Concarneau with no date, but most likely purchased in Hamilton Ontario Canada probably before 1950. Lovely colours that match other Sherwin fishing boat watercolours
I have just found a watercolor picture , the mountains of mourne by frank sherwin in my loft when I moved in , how do I know if this is worth anything ?
I am wondering whether the original of Frank's painting "The Little Harbour' Majorca" is available for sale ?
The waiting was from 1960.
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