Cundall, Charles Ernest, 1890–1971

A Chelsea Cup-Tie 1923

Charles Ernest Cundall (1890–1971)

Manchester Art Gallery

Painter, pottery and stained glass artist, born in Stratford, Lancashire. After working as a designer for Pilkington’s Pottery Company under Gordon Forsyth, Cundall studied at Manchester School of Art, obtaining a scholarship to Royal College of Art, 1912. After World War I Army service he returned to Royal College in 1918, then was at Slade School of Fine Art, 1919–20, and in Paris. Cundall travelled widely in several continents and became noted for his panoramic pictures, such as Bank Holiday, Brighton, in Tate Gallery’s collection. He was a member of NEAC, RP, RWS and other bodies and was a prolific RA exhibitor. Had first solo show at Colnaghi, 1927. Official War Artist in World War II, during which he was elected RA, 1944. His wife was the painter Jacqueline Pietersen.

Text source: 'Artists in Britain Since 1945' by David Buckman (Art Dictionaries Ltd, part of Sansom & Company)

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Biography on Wikipedia

Art History Research net (AHRnet) https://www.arthistoryresearch.net/

Charles Ernest Cundall was born in Stretford, Lancashire, England on 6 September 1890. From 1907 he was apprenticed to the Pilkington's Lancastrian Pottery & Tiles where he painted lustre ware during which time he took evening classes at Manchester School of Art. In 1912, with the aid of a scholarship, he studied the Royal College of Art in London. After military service during World War One, he returned to the RCA in 1918 and in 1919-20 attended the Slade School of Fine Art, University College, London. He also studied and the Académie Colarossi in Paris in the 1920s and between 1921-23 travelled extensively throughout Europe and in 1923 he married artist Jaqueline Pieterson (1899-1984), who had been a fellow student at the Royal College of Art.

His right arm was badly injured during World War One and he subsequently learned to paint with his left hand.

Cundell was a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy in London from 1918 to 1970. He also exhibited at Agnew & Sons Gallery, Beaux Arts Gallery, Brook Street Art Gallery, Chenil Gallery, Connell & Sons Gallery, Fine Art Society, Grosvenor Gallery, Goupil Gallery, International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, Leicester Galleries, New English Art Club, Royal Society of Portrait Painters, and Royal Society of Painters in Water Colours in London; Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool; Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts; Phoenix Gallery in Lavenham, Suffolk; Ipswich Art Club; Manchester City Art Gallery; Hastings Museum and Art Gallery; the Royal Scottish Academy; and at the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin. He held his first solo exhibition at Colnaghi & Co. Gallery in London in 1927.

He was elected a member of the New English Art Club (NEAC) in 1924; a member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters (RP) in 1934; and an Associate of the Royal Academy (ARA) in 1937; and a Royal Academician (RA) in 1944.

During World War Two he was an Official War Artist attached to the Royal Navy and Air Force.

Throughout his career as an artist Cundall lived in London. He died at Flat 4G, Airlie House, Airlie Gardens, Kensington, London on 4 November 1971.