Garratt, Arthur Paine (1873-1955)

Arthur Paine Garratt was an accomplished British painter of portraits and interiors. He trained at the City of London School and exhibited at numerous venues including Royal Academy and Paris Salon where he was awarded a gold medal.

Various dignitaries sat for him including Mary of Teck, Queen Consort of King George V. He also produced two portraits of the sculptor Auguste Rodin. Such was his demand that he travelled to the USA on several occasions for commissions and shows.

He’s represented at the National Portrait Gallery, Royal Collection Trust and Government Art Collection.

Exhibited

Royal Academy, Paris Salon, Royal Society of Portrait Painters.

Public Collections

National Portrait Gallery, Royal Collection Trust, Government Art Collection, Horniman Museum and Gardens, Southwark Heritage Centre, Guildhall Art Gallery, National Trust, Chartwell.

Timeline

1873

Born in Lambeth, London to James S Garratt, a banker’s clerk, and Mary Elizabeth Garratt (nee Nichols).

1881

Lived in Lambeth with his family.

1891

Lived in Lambeth with his family. Worked as a clerk.

1899

Debuted at the Royal Academy with ‘To be merry, Let’s now take our time, While we’re in our prime.’ A reference to a poem by Robert Herrick (1591-1674).

1900

Married Clare Eugenie Stolzenberg who was born in Berlin, Germany.

1901

Lived in Paddington, London, with his wife.

1905

Lived in Fulham, London.

1911

Lived in Twickenham, Middlesex, with his wife and son Sheridan.

1920

Travelled to New York aboard the Saxonia.

1921

Lived in Chelsea, London with his wife and children.

1922

Referred to in The Courier News, Bridgewater, New Jersey.

“A very interesting exhibition of pictures and portraits by Arthur Garratt, English portrait painter, will be held by the kind permission of Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Carvalho, on June 1, 2, 3 and 4, in the picture gallery of the Carvalho home at 400 West Eighth street, this city. Among the exhibits are portraits of the children of residents of Plainfield, viz, Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Cleavers' two little girls (Mr. Cleaver is president of the board of governors of Muhlen- herg Hospital), and Dr. and Mrs. H. S. Corbusier's three daughters.

The artist has a European reputation, having exhibited for years at the Royal Academy of Arts, the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, in London, and other principal exhibitions. He also received the gold medal (Hors Concours) at the Paris Salon Société des Artistes Français for the picture, ‘The King's Yeoman’, which ‘Le Figaro’, of Paris, described as a masterpiece. This picture will be on exhibition. It was received at the time it was exhibited with enthusiasm by the French and English press. It is an interesting fact to Americans that the old man who posed for this picture fought in the American Civil War on the Confederate side. All those interested in good painting in Plainfield should not fail to visit this exhibition. Admission will be on presentation of card.”

1923

Travelled to Boston, Massachusetts, with his son Sheridan aboard the Samaria.

1928

Travelled to New York aboard the Minnetonka.

1929

Travelled to New York aboard the Caronia.

1930