Harry Watson

Who was Harry Watson?

Harry Watson was an English landscape and portrait artist born in Scarborough. He briefly lived in Canada between 1881 and 1883.

He studied at the Scarborough School of Art 1884–88, at Lambeth School of Art and at the Royal College of Art 1889–94, where he won numerous gold, silver and bronze medals and was awarded a traveling scholarship to Italy.

Watson exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1896; member R.W.S. 1915; R.W.A. 1927; R.O.I. 1932. Taught at Regent Street Polytechnic from 1913.

Watson embraced En plein air painting, often capturing the effect of natural light falling to on to his subjects which gives many of his works an impressionistic style. His paintings Sunlight Reflected Upon a Wide Riverscape and Reflected Light are two examples which demonstrate his use of natural light.

His watercolour Across the River is in the permanent collection at the Tate Gallery. The Christchurch art gallery, Wellington art gallery and Brighton & Hove Museum & Art Gallery also have examples of his work.

In 1938 a memorial exhibition was held at Leamington Spa Art Gallery.

Harry Watson was a lifelong friend of Fred Appleyard.