Turn of the Tide, Strand on the Green

Location

Country: USA
City: Washington DC
Place: British Embassy

Robin Darwin was born in London into a family of illustrious cultural and scientific figures. His great-grandfather was Charles Darwin (1809–1882), the famous English naturalist and author of ‘The Origin of the Species’, whose own grandfather had been Josiah Wedgwood (1730–1795), the renowned English potter. Darwin studied at Eton College and the University of Cambridge, before enrolling at the Slade School of Art, London. After graduating, he began his teaching career at Watford Grammar School and at Eton. During the Second World War, Darwin designed camouflage, and worked for the Ministry of Town and Country Planning. After the War had ended, he was appointed Professor of Fine Art at Durham University, until 1948, when he was made Principal of the RCA. He held this position until 1967, when the College attained university status and he became Rector. Up to 1971, in this role, he introduced a broader range of subject disciplines; implemented new administrative and academic systems, all of which strengthened the prestige of the College. After leaving the RCA, Darwin was elected President of the Royal West of England Academy; and he was elected a member of the Royal Academy in 1972. Previously, he had been awarded a CBE in 1954, and a knighthood in 1964.

Places

England, River Thames, London, Strand-on-the-Green, Chiswick

Subjects

rowing boat, train, landscape C20th, tree, river, path, bridge (urban), house

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil, oil painting

Artist

Robin Darwin (1910 - 1974)

Title

Turn of the Tide, Strand on the Green

Date

1953

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 62.00 cm, width: 75.00 cm

Acquisition

Presented by The Hon. Mrs Wood, June 1959

Inscription

bl: Darwin / '53

Provenance

With Agnew’s Gallery, London, by 1959; from whom purchased by the Honourable Mrs Wood (neice of Lord Bryce, HM Ambassador to Washington, 1907-13); by whom presented to the Ministry of Works for the Ambassador's Residence, Washington, in June 1959

GAC number

4946