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Edward Seago was one of the most popular and talented English landscape painters of the last century whose work was notably collected by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Prince Philip, and other members of British royalty. His annual post-war exhibitions were always a great success and quickly sold out, and his work is still widely sought after.
Edward Seago (1910-1974) was born in Norwich. Aged seven, a heart complaint was diagnosed so, whilst bedridden for several years he took to painting scenes from his bedroom window to pass the time. When aged 14, he won an award from the Royal Drawing Society and from then on knew what he wanted to do in spite of his parents' initial disapproval.
He studied briefly with Sir Alfred Munnings, but was largely self-taught. During World War II, Seago was enlisted by the Royal Engineers to develop camouflage, as though he was unfit physically for serving as a soldier, his artistic talent offered other opportunities to aid in the war effort.
As a young man Seago had joined a circus in reaction to his childhood confinement. Travelling provided material for many early paintings, as well as two illustrated books. His mature paintings seek to capture atmosphere through his impressionistic style rather than pure topography. His works are open and uncluttered, utilising the simplicity of composition and brushstroke for personal expression and conveying his emotional responses to nature. Seago’s art is very much in the tradition of English landscape paintings, influenced by Alfred Munnings and Laura Knight, but forging a lineage back to Constable and even to Gainsborough. In turn Seago has been very influential upon a later generation of artists, particularly East Anglian painters.
James Russell explores some of his oil paintings and watercolours in detail, looking at his choice of subject, design and technique.
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