Hilder remains one of the best-known British watercolourists of the

20th Century. Born on Long Island, America, of British parents, he

was brought to England during his school years, and after settling here

he studied illustration and printmaking at Goldsmith’s College. After

working on camouflage in the army during the war, he became

involved with printmaking, and did extensive illustrative advertising

work with Shell-Mex and BP.

He illustrated many books, including Moby Dick and Treasure Island.

The artist published several works on watercolour painting, as

well as Rowland Hilder’s England and Rowland Hilder Country. He

enjoyed wide public recognition and popularity for his paintings of the

Kent countryside, often featuring elm trees, oast-houses and farming

activity. A highly accomplished technician, his style is characterised by

a crispness of touch, an attractive dryness of texture, and strong

contrast and clarity of light.

The example here contains many of the classic ingredients of Hilder’s

work, and is in exceptionally pure and fresh condition.