Frank Beresford

Frank Ernest Beresford (30 August 1881 – 25 May 1967) was a British painter from Derby, England. He is best known for his painting, The Princes' Vigil.

Frank Beresford
Beresford at work
Born	Frank Ernest Beresford 30 August 1881 Derby, England
Died	25 May 1967[1] Rye, Sussex, England
Nationality	British
Education	Derby School of Art; St John's Wood Art School; Royal Academy Schools

Biography

Beresford was born in Derby in 1881 and had a long artistic education. He first studied at the Derby School of Art, then St John's Wood Art School, and finally at the Royal Academy Schools. His talent was rewarded with a travel scholarship that took him to Asia. From 1906 he returned to exhibit at the Royal Academy.[2]

In 1936, Beresford made the only painting of the Princes' keeping vigil with their father's body overnight. It was titled The Princes' Vigil: 12.15am, January 28, 1936, and it was bought by Queen Mary who gave it to King Edward VIII on his birthday.[3] Before the war started, Beresford's first wife, the artist Daisy Radcliffe Clague, died.

During World War II, Beresford was only the second person to be awarded an Exceptional Service Award from the United States Air Force, which also has some of his paintings on permanent display. Beresford was a war artist for both the American and British air forces. His portraits include those of the Spitfire designer, Reginald Joseph Mitchell.[4]

Beresford married again in 1949. He repeated his pre-war painting of royalty lying in state when the King and Queen died in 1952 and 1953, but tastes had changed and this time they were not exhibited.[5]

Frank Beresford's works include three two kings and a queen, and in the collection in his home county there is a portrait of George Herbert Strutt owned by Belper Town Council and a view of Dovedale in Derby Art Gallery.[4]

References

1. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
2. Bereford, Burlingtons paintings, accessed August 2011.
3. Frank Beresford: Derby artist painted royalty Archived 2011-07-19 at the Wayback Machine - bygonederbyshire.co.uk
4. Beresford, BBC, accessed August 2011
5. Beresford, West End at War, accessed August 2011

Further reading

• Frank E. Beresford: Indomitable Self Belief 1881–1967, John Fineran, 2008.