Images: 1) Mock-up plaque©Robert Pankhurst 2) 3 Romeland© Tim Boatswain 3) E.R.Hughes, 1903 © Watts Gallery Compton, Surrey
At 3 pm on Saturday 22 July at 3 Romeland, St Albans, a blue plaque commemorating the life of E.R.Hughes (known as 'Ted'to his friends) will be installed at his last home. E.R.Hughes was a famous artist associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement. The plaque will be officially installed by Professor Geraint John, a well-known architect, who is the holder of the Pierre de Coubertin Medal for outstanding services to the Olympic movement. In 2014, the centenary of Hughes death, Professor John organised an exhibition to honour the artist's memory.
The general public is very welcome to attend the installation.
This is the ninth plaque to be installed by Blue Plaques St Albans (BPSA), a voluntary organization, which was established to commemorate famous men and women who have lived and worked in St Albans, by placing blue plaques on buildings or sites associated with their lives. The initiative resembles the well-known blue plaque scheme run by English Heritage in London.
Professor Tim Boatswain, the Chairman of Blue Plaques St Albans, says,
Blue Plaques St Albans are very grateful to Mr & Mrs Morris, the owners of 3 Romeland. for sponsoring this plaque to E.R.Hughes. Hughes is not as well-known as he should be. He grew up under the influence of both his uncle, Arthur Hughes, and William Holman Hunt, who were members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Hughes moved to St Albans in 1913 and wrote about how he loved the historical atmosphere of the city. I hope this blue plaque will encourage more people to get to know the works of this talented artist.
Born in London, Edward Robert Hughes received his first training from his uncle, the eminent Pre-Raphaelite painter, Arthur Hughes. He spent much of his childhood surrounded by his uncle’s artistic and literary friends, including Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Ford Madox Brown, John Ruskin and Lewis Carroll.
Hughes took lessons at an art school in London, before entering the Royal Academy schools at the age of sixteen where he was an outstanding student, winning a silver medal.
His striking good looks led to his modelling for Rossetti and other artists. After graduating from the Royal Academy, he established a career as a portrait painter and his sensitive portraits of children were particularly popular. He later produced large, ambitious watercolours, inspired by poetry and literature, exhibiting twice a year at the Royal Watercolour Society.
From the late 1880s Hughes worked as a studio assistant to William Holman Hunt. Hunt was suffering from glaucoma in the last years of his life, progressively losing his sight, and Hughes helped him to complete the painting “The Lady of Shalott”. He is also credited with largely painting the third and final version of the “Light of the World”, a hugely popular painting now in St Paul’s Cathedral.
From 1905, Hughes made a series of large watercolours, exploring the themes of twilight, night and dawn, with fairy-like figures. It is perhaps these masterpieces on which the fame and reputation of E. R. Hughes is based.
In 1913 he moved with his wife, Emily, to St Albans. He loved the city but, sadly, he was stricken with appendicitis and died after surgery on St George's Day, 23 April 1914. His funeral at the Cathedral drew a huge attendance, reflecting how much his art had been admired. He is buried in the Hatfield Road Cemetery.
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If you are interested in becoming involved or want to donate to Blue Plaques St Albans, please contact: blueplaquesstalbans@gmail.com
NOTES
Blue Plaques St Albans was set up in 2019. Its aim is to commemorate and celebrate the famous people of St Albans
Blue Plaques St Albans is made up of representatives from:
St Albans Civic Society
St Albans & Hertfordshire Architectural & Archaeological Society
St Albans City Tour Guides
St Albans Abbey Cathedral
St Albans Museum + Gallery
Conservation 50
St Albans Business Improvement District (BID)
St Albans City & District Council
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