The West Dart near Dartmeet

Charles Edward Brittan, Junior (1870 – 1949)

Watercolour. Signed.

8” x 12” (20.3 cm x 30.5 cm)

Brittan was renowned for his evocative watercolours of the tors of Dartmoor, where he found his inspiration. He was born in Plymouth and began painting in the style of his father, also named Charles Edward, who was an accomplished painter of animals and landscapes. From Plymouth, Brittan Junior moved even nearer his beloved Dartmoor, living for a time on the shores of Burrator Reservoir and later in the hamlet of Sampford Spiney and then at Tavistock. He also painted landscapes on Exmoor and in Scotland and exhibited at The Royal Academy and The Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours. Further exhibitions of his work, featuring Dartmoor, Perthshire and “Arran and the Western Isles” were also held in London, where his patrons included Queen Mary. He illustrated several books, notably an edition of Lorna Doone in 1911. As an interesting footnote, Brittan Junior was also a talented footballer and joined Plymouth Argyle when he was 18, eventually becoming vice-captain of the team.