This early 20th-century oil painting by British artist Frank Dickson (1862-1936) depicts a coastal view with fishermen and a woman mending nets.

Dickson hailed from Chester near Liverpool but moved to London after successfully gaining access to the Royal Academy. This was quite an achievement for a local lad and, as such, made the newspapers.

“Success of a Chester Artist. In the list of successful students admitted to the Art Schools of the Royal Academy upon the result of competitive works sent in for examination at the Christmas term, we are glad to notice the name of Mr. Frank Dickson, a son of Alderman F. Arthur Dickson, of this city.”

His style was predominantly traditional and often sentimental, but here we see something rather different. The colouring is bold, radiant, and glowing. While the brushwork is loose, spirited and joyful. In some respects, it’s more akin to the Impressionists than it is to typical English landscape painting.

Produced in around 1920, Dickson was in his Autumn years when he painted it. At the point in an artist’s career when the heart tends to sing, devoid of nagging insecurities.

A beautifully balanced little painting with a buoyant spirit.

Signed in the lower right and held within a later frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 20” x 14” / 51cm x 36cm
Year of creation: c. 1920
Provenance: Private collection, England.
Condition: Artwork presents well. Fine craquelure but the paint is stable. Canvas relined. Frame with some light wear.
Artist’s auction maximum: £9,000

Frank Dickson

Frank Dickson was a British artist predominantly known for his vibrant landscapes in oil but he also produced portraits. He hailed from Chester and trained at Royal Academy Schools in London. He exhibited at the Royal Society of British Artists over fifty times and was elected a member.

Learn more about Frank Dickson in our directory.