Frank Moss Bennett Animal Paintings

Frank Moss Bennett British, (1874-1952) Feeding the Pigeons Oil on panel, signed & dated 1917 Image size: 9.5 inches x 13.5 inches Size including frame: 14 inches x 18 inches A charming painting of a girl feeding birds outside a timber framed Tudor house, by Frank Moss Bennett. Bennett developed a fascination for Tudor buildings which appear regularly in his paintings. The house depicted in this work seems to have been a particular favourite and was used as a back drop on a number of occasions. Frank Moss Bennett was a portrait and genre painter who was born in Liverpool on November 15, 1874. He was the son of the Iron Founder Henry Mellor Bennett who was also became mayor of Liverpool. His family’s wealth enabled him to receive a good education, initially with a governess and then at Clifton College in Bristol. His talent for art emerged at a young age, however it was not until he left Bristol that he decided to follow a career in painting. He moved to London in 1892, most likely with his family who went to live in Croydon after his father’s retirement. There he studied at the Slade School of Art where he was taught by Henry Tonks and John Singer Sargent. He also met fellow artist Eddie Wells who became his friend, travel partner and brother-in-law. He later attended the St John’s School of Art and in 1896 entered the Royal Academy school, winning a gold medal and a scholarship to travel. He began exhibiting at the Royal Academy from 1898 with a work entitled ‘A Book Plate’, continuing to exhibit there until 1929. He also exhibited at the Paris Salon, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour. In 1900, Bennett used his scholarship money to go on a painting expedition to Italy with his friend Wells. On his return he lived with his family at 18 Warrington Road, Croydon and took a studio nearby at Alipore, Duppas Hill, where he began specialising in historical genre and portraits. His work portrayed life in seventeenth and eighteenth century England, depicting figures in tavern interiors, gentlemen discussing affairs of State or at leisure in their homes. He wanted his works to be historically accurate and used authentic props and antiques. He also accrued a large collection of costumes, some of which were later given to the Platt Hall Museum, Manchester and the Museum of London. He also developed an interest in historical architecture, particularly Tudor and made many sketches of buildings...

Frank Moss Bennett British, (1874-1952) Playtime Oil on canvas, signed & dated 1917 Image size: 9.5 inches x 13.5 inches Size including frame: 14 inches x 18 inches A pretty scene by Frank Moss Bennett featuring a woman with her daughter in the garden of a timber framed Tudor house. The little girl holds her mother’s yarn as she knits, whilst a dog lies close by. Bennett was fascinated by Tudor architecture...

Frank Moss Bennett British, (1874-1952) Discussing the Day Oil on canvas, signed & dated 1948 Image size: 14.5 inches x 19.5 inches Size including frame: 20 inches x 25 inches A well-executed genre painting of fishermen and a hunter conversing with an innkeeper. The men, dressed in 18th century costume are depicted outside a timber framed Tudor building called the Fish Inn. Bennett was interested in Tudor architecture...