Montague Dawson was a British marine artist who was born in 1895 and died in 1973. He is known for his beautiful oil paintings and watercolours of ships, seascapes, and naval battles.
Dawson was born into an artistic family, and he showed an early talent for painting. He studied at the Royal Academy of Arts in London and later worked as a commercial artist before turning his attention to marine painting.
SHOREHAM FISHING BOATS, Signed, watercolour 34 x 51.5cm.
Sold for £1,300, July 2015 at Lawrences Auctioneers, Crewkerne
Dawson's paintings are characterized by their dynamic compositions, vivid colours and attention to detail. He was particularly skilled at capturing the motion of ships at sea and the play of light on the water.
Capturing the Motion
Throughout his career, Dawson received numerous commissions from private collectors and organizations, including the Royal Navy. His work was also featured in exhibitions at major galleries and museums, such as the Royal Academy, the National Maritime Museum, and the Smithsonian Institution.
In addition to his paintings, Dawson was also an accomplished illustrator and author. He wrote several books on maritime history and was a regular contributor to magazines and newspapers.
Today, Montague Dawson is considered one of the most important marine artists of the 20th century, and his work is highly sought after by collectors around the world. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists and art enthusiasts, and his influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary marine painters.