Description

A watercolour and pen and ink study of a Japanese pagoda. Unsigned. On watercolour paper laid to card.

Condition

There is some mild discolouration around the edges.

Collection Information

A collection of watercolour and pen and ink paintings, including miniature portraits of literary figures and Belgian and English landmarks.

Biography

John Sergeant (1937-2010) was an artist and illustrator born in Bexley, South East London. As a black-and-white draughtsman John Sergeant was supreme in his love and execution of chiaroscuro. The son of a Civil Servant, London bombing raids during World War II forced his father and family to escape to Faversham, Kent. Sergeant studied at Canterbury College of Art, 1954-57 where he met and was championed by Royal Academician John Ward. In 1959, encouraged by his mentor, he entered the Royal Academy Schools. During his final year there, in 1962, he won the Drawing Prize and married his fellow art student, Carolyn Cann (1937-2018). In 1991 he accompanied H.R.H. The Prince of Wales to Prague as Official Artist.

In 1994, his work was shown in 'Three Contemporary Masters' alongside that of John Ward and Jehan Daly. He held teaching posts at Canterbury College of Art, Dover School of Art, and Folkestone School of Art. His commissions included interiors of visiting Castle Coole, Stowell Park, and Deene Park among others; the drawings he made of Erddig in Wrexham are held by the National Trust. As an exhibitor, he showed at the Maas Gallery, London, and at the Fine Art Society and Colnaghi's in 2006.

Sergeant was a noted graphic designer for books and was commissioned by The Prince of Wales for his book 'The Vision of Britain' and also undertook poster work for the British Tourist Authority, London Transport, and British Rail amongst many. He was elected a member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters in 1982 and his sitters included Her Majesty The Queen Mother commissioned for London University.