Richard Simkin was a British artist and best known as an illustrator of military uniforms. To this day, we know very little about his works, as most of them were used as illustrations for books and newspapers. Although we own many of Simkin's works, we know very little about his personal life and how he became passionate about art. He was born on November 5, 1850, in Herne Bay, Kent, the son of a traveling merchant named Richard. After becoming an artist, Richard Simkin Jr. worked for the British War Office: illustrating the army and navy newspaper he edited and designing agitation posters for recruitment in the army.
During his life Simkin painted thousands of watercolors, which made him very famous. He mainly painted the uniforms and combat operations of the British Army, including Indian and other colonial troops. The British War Office actively supported Simkin's work by providing him with all sorts of samples, uniforms and equipment to best realize his works. Another major work that made Simkin famous was illustrating a number of books, including those on military subjects. Some of the most famous books illustrated by Simkin include The War in Egypt, Where Glory Calls, and The Soldier's Scrap Book. Probably the best known book of all is British Soldiers Past and Present: Their Dress and Equipment.
During his life he collaborated with famous magazines, such as The Graphic and Boys' Own.In 1880 Richard Simkin married a woman named Harriet and lived with her for a long time in Aldershot, Hampshire (England), visiting London regularly. Nevertheless, he did not forget his hometown, to which he apparently still moved later. Richard Simkin died on June 25, 1926, at his home in Cavendish Street in Herne Bay, leaving behind a wife and two daughters. The cause of the artist's death is not known, but it is very likely that he died of old age or from the effects of illness. Today Simkin's paintings can be seen in many British regimental museums, his illustrations appear in editions of regimental histories, and his watercolors are frequently offered at auction.
Richard Simkin was a British artist and best known as an illustrator of military uniforms. To this day, we know very little about his works, as most of them were used as illustrations for books and newspapers. Although we own many of Simkin's works, we know very little about his personal life and how he became passionate about art. He was born on November 5, 1850, in Herne Bay, Kent, the son of a traveling merchant named Richard. After becoming an artist, Richard Simkin Jr. worked for the British War Office: illustrating the army and navy newspaper he edited and designing agitation posters for recruitment in the army.
During his life Simkin painted thousands of watercolors, which made him very famous. He mainly painted the uniforms and combat operations of the British Army, including Indian and other colonial troops. The British War Office actively supported Simkin's work by providing him with all sorts of samples, uniforms and equipment to best realize his works. Another major work that made Simkin famous was illustrating a number of books, including those on military subjects. Some of the most famous books illustrated by Simkin include The War in Egypt, Where Glory Calls, and The Soldier's Scrap Book. Probably the best known book of all is British Soldiers Past and Present: Their Dress and Equipment.
During his life he collaborated with famous magazines, such as The Graphic and Boys' Own.In 1880 Richard Simkin married a woman named Harriet and lived with her for a long time in Aldershot, Hampshire (England), visiting London regularly. Nevertheless, he did not forget his hometown, to which he apparently still moved later. Richard Simkin died on June 25, 1926, at his home in Cavendish Street in Herne Bay, leaving behind a wife and two daughters. The cause of the artist's death is not known, but it is very likely that he died of old age or from the effects of illness. Today Simkin's paintings can be seen in many British regimental museums, his illustrations appear in editions of regimental histories, and his watercolors are frequently offered at auction.
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