George Goodwin Kilburne

George Goodwin Kilburne, R.I., R.O.I, R.M.S, (1839 - 1924) was a London based genre painter specialising in accurately drawn interiors with figures. He favoured the watercolour medium, although he did also work in oils, pencil and in his early career engraving. [Fisher, S. "A Dictionary of Watercolour Painters"]

Life and Work

George was born on the 24th July 1839 in Norfolk. He was apprenticed for five years to the Dalziel brothers in London, studying wood engraving. He married Jenny Dalziel, the daughter of Robert Dalziel - they had three sons and two daughters: George Goodwin Jnr who also became an artist; Charles Robert, William Richard, Florence and Mary Maud. [1881 England Census] They all lived together at Hawkhurst House, Steeles Road, Hampstead. [1881 England Census] George abandoned wood engraving for the more versatile and profitable mediums of watercolour and oil painting. [Waters, G. Dictionary of British Artists Working 1900-1950] His apprenticeship in engraving enhanced the accuracy and detail of his paintings. He quickly became on of the most sought after and well known artists in England. George's wife Janet died in March 1883 and George later married Edith Golightly with who he had two girls, Constance Ivy and Edith May. [http://genforum.genealogy.com/kilburne/messages/1.html]

George's paintings often portrayed the upper classes and ultra-fashionable female beauties in opulent settings. His depiction of this beauty was heightened by his attention to detail with dress, and richly decorated interiors. During the period his paintings would have been considered traditional, especially compared to the work of contemporaries such as James McNeill Whistler and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

Exhibitions

Kilburne began exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1863, and was elected a member of the New Watercolour Society in 1866. [Fisher, S. "A Dictionary of Watercolour Painters"] He exhibited 37 paintings at the Royal Academy between (1863-1918), also exhibiting at Suffolk Street, New Watercolour Society, the Grosvenor Gallery and elsewhere. ["The Dictionary of British Artists 1880-1940" (Antique Collectors Club)] Many of his pictures became popular through prints. His work can be seen in many public and private galleries worldwide including the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, Manchester City Art Gallery and the Sheffield Art Gallery.

References