Albert Moulton Foweraker RBA was an accomplished English painter, known predominantly for landscapes.

Born in Exeter, Devon, Foweraker’s formative years were spent immersed in academic development. His father, Edmund Thomas Foweraker, was the headmaster of the local Cathedral School and would’ve encouraged his son to study intently. As a result, he obtained a degree in Applied Science from Christ's College, Cambridge, and also qualified as a milling engineer. However, within a few years, he switched his attention to art and began exhibiting at various local shows. It’s not entirely clear why he arrived at this decision but according to one source, he was forced to move away from engineering following an accident.

It’s interesting to consider Foweraker’s scientific background in the context of his approach to colour. Very rarely did he work with a broad palette, instead preferring a limited range, somewhat akin to late 19th-century tonalism. One can imagine him enjoying greater control of a composition by paring back the ingredients.

In 1902, around four years after his decision to become a painter, he was elected to the Royal Society of British Artists - where he went on to exhibit over 50 works. The same year, he moved to Lelant in Cornwall, with the enchanting Carbis Bay, a short distance from his house. From here, he established a firm foothold in the artistic community, forging a solid career as a painter of merit.

Aside from his coastal views of the southwest, Foweraker also sought inspiration abroad, undertaking study trips to France, North Africa and Spain, where he provided painting classes. Andalusia was a particular draw and a region he returned to.

During the 1920s, he entered what could be referred to as his ‘blue period’, whereby he produced numerous nocturnes in subtle variations of blue, with green and gold highlights. Following an exhibition in Plymouth in 1929, a journalist remarked that “simple cottage and street scenes are invested with a poetry of feeling both reposeful and satisfying” and “perhaps no other Westcountry artist paints moonlight with such beautiful tone effects”.

His final chapters were spent in Swanage, Dorset, where he continued to exhibit locally. He’s represented at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and the Royal Watercolour Society.

Exhibited

Royal Society of British Artists, Royal Scottish Academy, Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, Royal Institute of Oil Painters.

Public Collections

Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Royal Watercolour Society.

Timeline

1873

Born in Exeter, Devon, to Edmund Thomas Foweraker, a priest/vicar at Exeter Cathedral and the headmaster at Cathedral School, and Eliza Susanna Jenkins.

Studied at Exeter Cathedral School where his father was the headmaster.

1881

Lived in Exeter with his parents and a teacher of mathematics.

1890

Studied at Cavendish College, Cambridge.

1891

Lived in St Sidwell, Devon, with his parents and two servants. Occupation recorded as 'Undergraduate’.

1893

Studied at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he obtained a degree in Applied Science.

1897

Married Annie Triphina Coles in Surrey.

1901

Lived in Exeter, Devon with his parents, wife, and two servants. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist (Painter).’

1902

Elected a member of the Royal Society of British Artists where he exhibited over 50 works.
Moved to Lelant, near Carbis Bay, Cornwall.

Undertook numerous study trips to Spain, including to Andalucia where he ran painting classes.

Travelled to the south of France and North Africa.

C. 1925

Moved to Swanage, Dorset.

1939

Lived in Dorset with Raleigh Williamson Morris and Marrion Morris. Occupation recorded as ‘Artist. Painter on own account’.

1942

Died in Swanage, Dorset.

Reviews

Western Daily Press following an exhibition at Frost & Reed (1924).

“Two pictures that may almost be called ‘nocturnes in blue,’ are moonlight studies by A. M. Foweraker, in which the tones are expressed with great discretion.”

The Western Morning News and Mercury (1929)

“Plymouth Exhibition by Mr A.M. Foweraker.

Well worthy of inspection is the exhibition of water-colours by Mr. A. M. Foweraker, which is being held at Harris and Sons, Devon and Cornwall Galleries, George Street, Plymouth. They are decidedly original in colour tones, besides being interesting in choice of subject. Altogether there are 25 pictures, and, with few exceptions, the artist has sought to interpret the poetry of Nature by painting moonlight and twilight scenes. Simple cottage and street scenes are invested with a poetry of feeling both reposeful and satisfying.

Perhaps no other Westcountry artist paints moonlight with such beautiful tone effects as Mr. Foweraker, and in this exhibition he appears to have confined himself almost entirely to this phase of art. Undefinable charm is seen in ‘Moonlight on the Quay, St. Ives,’ ‘Moonlight, Algeciras,’ ‘Moonlight Near Swanage,’ ‘Moonlight at Cornish Farm,’ ‘Twilight, St. Ives,’ and in a more or less degree, in each of the other works shown.

The artist secures striking effects by the employment of delicate cobalts and greens, body colour being introduced with artistic delicacy. The colour composition is similar in nearly every picture, and only here and there relieved with touches of orange and lake lowered with sienna tones. All being hung together, there is just a suspicion of monotony in the colour, and, at first glance, one hardly knows whether to label them as studies in blue or studies in green, the blending of colour is so subtle.

In a few cases, however, Mr. Foweraker has made exceptions, and produced very pleasing examples of bright sunny scenes, such, for example, as ‘Evening, Norway Lane, St. Ives,’ ‘Twilight, East Dulwich,’ and ‘Evening, St. Ives.’ These latter show that the artist is just as much at home painting sunlight as he is in painting moonlight, and one can take delight in both.”

Obituaries

Cornishman

“The death is announced of Mr. Moulton Foweraker, R.W.S., which occurred on January 14th, at Swanage, the funeral taking place at Godlington (Swanage) cemetery on Saturday. Mr. Foweraker resided for many years at Carbis Bay, and was one of the most noted of the artists who have settled in West Cornwall. He lived at "The Headland" at Hawke's Point, afterwards the property of Mr. Kenneth Holman. He was noted as a painter of beautiful pictures, particularly water-colour scenes in Spain and other countries on the Continent; he also painted a good deal in Cornwall. Mr. Foweraker was very popular when he resided here, and many will regret to find that he has died at the age of sixty-eight.”