Ernest Greenwood artist

Ernest Greenwood (12 February 1913 – 17 May 2009) was an English artist who served as president of the Royal Watercolour Society (RWS) from 1976 to 1984. During his tenure, he revitalized the society by relocating it to the Bankside Gallery in London, securing its financial and operational stability with the help of architect Sir Gerald Glover. The new premises were officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1980. Born in Welling, Kent, Greenwood was the sixth of seven children. His father’s early death left the family in poverty. He began his artistic training at Gravesend School of Art in 1927 and later earned a scholarship to the Royal College of Art, where he studied under Gilbert Spencer and William Rothenstein. He also spent time at the British School in Rome before returning to the Royal College to study etching. During World War II, Greenwood served in the Royal Artillery and Army Educational Corps. After the war, he worked in Berlin’s Rehabilitation School, creating notable works such as "Resurrection," now housed at the Ben Uri Gallery in London. Greenwood’s artistic style was influenced by Samuel Palmer and focused on rural landscapes, often inspired by Kent and Continental Europe. He held various roles within artistic societies, including presidencies of the Hesketh Hubbard Art Society, Guild of Kent Artists, and RWS. His work was exhibited widely, with retrospectives at venues like the New Metropole in Folkestone and Maidstone County Hall Gallery. Greenwood also contributed decorations to Canterbury Crown Court in 1994. After ...