"Nasturtiums," Tudor St. George Tucker, c. 1903.
Born in England, Tucker (1862-1906) fought family disapproval and sought to be an artist, but also had to fight his own ill health. He traveled to Melbourne when he was 19 for his health, where he studied painting and began to work and exhibit.
He later studied in Paris, then traveled here and there, but his health never improved. He returned to London in 1899, established a studio in Chelsea, and continued to paint to some critical notice, including exhibiting in three Royal Academy exhibitions. However, his health kept him from working as much as he would like, and TB finally claimed him in 1906.
The rarity of his work has kept him from being better known, but this is often regarded as one of his best works. The courtyard festooned with nasturtiums is lovely, but a strange note is added by the two people, who are near each other but do not appear to be interacting. Some view it as a reference to his relations with his family; others just shrug. Still, a nicely painted scene.
Happy Flower Friday!
