Figure 1.--This painting is titled "The Family" and is the work of British artist Bernard Fleetwood-Walker (1893–1965). He was a prominent artist and teacher. He was a prominent artist and teacher. Fleetwood-Walker after several years was elected a Royal Academician who was after severl years was elected a Royal Academician (1956). The scene depicted a family picnic at Polperro, a picturesque fishing village in Cornwall. Polperro was popular among the local artistic community for its coastal scenery. The background would help to locate tg scene even if the artist was unknown. Also notice the boys wearing white dress shirts to the picnic. Tht alone would rule out America.

Bernard was born in Birmingham (1892). And lived much of his life there. His father William Walker was an electrical engineer and co-inventor of the Walker-Wilkins battery. There was an artistic thread in he famly. His mother Electra Amelia (née Varley) was a granddaughter of the watercolourist Cornelius Varley. He and his brother brother, John Varley, were founders of the Royal Watercolour Society (1804). Bernard was educated at Barford Street School and at King Edward’s Grammar School, Five Ways. He trained as a silver and goldsmith. Through working as a modeller and on low relief. He becme inteested in painting. While working as a mertal-worker, he furthered his studies at the Birmingham School of Art and Crafts, as well as in London and Paris where he stuied under Fleury. He served in World War I in the Artists’ Rifles. He painted and drew during the War. He was wounded and gassed. After the War he taught for about 10 years at King Edward’s Grammar School, Aston. He left to teach at Birmingham School of Arts and Crafts (1929). He held a one-man show at Ruskin Gallery, Birmingham (1925. He began exhibited at the the RA (1925). His paintungs are notable for figure compositions, often depicting intimate, domestic scenes. He liked to paint with coastal backgrounds. He was elected to the RA (1956). He also showed at the RWS, NEAC, RBSA and RP. He won a silver medal at Paris Salon. He moved to London after retirement from teaching in Birmingham (1951). He was appointed assistent keeper at RA schools and gave more of his time to the student. One art expert dsribes his works as acievung a 'a visual intensity that synthesised light, space and tactile qualities as unified images laid on the canvas with a spontaneity and breadth unsurpassed by many of his British contemporaries.’

Created: 7:32 PM 5/12/2026
Last updated: 7:32 PM 5/12/2026