Frank Cadogan Cowper and Vanity

'Vanity' (1907) by Frank Cadogan Cowper; Royal Academy of Arts, London

Today's painting I had already drafted some time ago because I think it is beautiful and I didn't want to use another painting for this date and miss out on this one. The artist Frank Cadogan Cowper, born on 16 October 1877, is described as the last of the Pre-Raphaelite painters and he's someone I had never heard of before. He took his subjects from literature, history and religion, painted in the Pre-Raphaelite style with close attention to colour and detail. Look at Vanity. Aren't the colours and details gorgeous? Cowper attended the Royal Academy Schools and exhibited his work there for the first time. In 1910, he received a commission to paint a mural for the House Of Commons. He moved to the States during the Second World War but returned to England in 1944. He continued to paint and exhibit until 1957.