Seascape

Hercules Brabazon Brabazon prints bring the shimmering light of Venice, the white towns of Spain and the temples of Egypt and India into your home. Brabazon was an English gentleman painter who spent his life travelling with his watercolours, inspired by Turner and Velázquez, and only showed his work in his seventies. Our collection of fine art prints covers his Venice views, Mediterranean and North African scenes, Indian monuments and painted homages to the old masters.

About Hercules Brabazon Brabazon

Hercules Brabazon Sharpe was born on 27 November 1821 and raised in Paris until his family moved to Oaklands, an estate near Sedlescombe in East Sussex, in 1832. He was educated at Harrow, in Geneva and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated in mathematics in 1844.

Instead of studying law as his father wished, he went to Rome to study music and art at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia and the Accademia di San Luca. In 1847, on the death of his elder brother, he inherited family estates in Ireland on condition that he take the surname Brabazon, which gave him financial independence. From then on he lived a life of travel, art study and painting, mostly in Europe but also in Africa and India, describing himself as living "for Art and Sunshine".

He saw himself as a gentleman amateur and did not exhibit or sell his work until his mid-seventies. Encouraged by friends, especially John Singer Sargent, he showed at the New English Art Club and held successful one-man exhibitions at the Goupil Gallery in London. He never married. He died at Sedlescombe on 14 May 1906.

Style and Subjects

Brabazon worked fast and with great economy, in watercolour. A few washes of colour and quick touches of white are enough to suggest a palace on the Grand Canal, a sunset over the lagoon or a desert town shimmering in the heat. Wikipedia describes his watercolours as being in the manner of Turner.

He also made free "translations" of paintings he admired, by Velázquez, Turner, Goya and others, capturing their colour and mood rather than copying their detail.

Famous Works

• Constantine (1867), National Gallery of Art, Washington. The Algerian city on its gorge, from his North African travels.
• Interior of an Exotic Palace (1867), National Gallery of Art, Washington. A shadowy palace interior in rich colour.
• Venice: A Homage to Turner. A tribute in watercolour to the painter he most admired.
• Gondolas before a Palace on the Grand Canal in Venice, National Gallery of Art, Washington. Gondolas and palaces in shimmering light.
• The Salute and the Palazzo Ducale from the Bacino di San Marco, National Gallery of Art, Washington. Venice's great domes across the water.
• Taormina, Yale Center for British Art, New Haven. The Sicilian hill town above the sea.
• A Grey Day, Venice, Tate, London. Venice in soft, silvery light.
• The Infant Balthasar Carlos, after Velázquez. His free version of Velázquez's portrait of the young Spanish prince.

Decorating with Brabazon Prints

Brabazon's Venice watercolours are light and airy, perfect for a bedroom, bathroom or sitting room with soft colours. A group of small views, of the Salute, the Grand Canal and the lagoon, makes a lovely travel-themed gallery wall.

His Spanish, North African and Indian scenes, like Red Fort, New Delhi or Seville, bring warm sunlight to a hallway, study or living room.

FAQ

Who was Hercules Brabazon Brabazon?

He was an English watercolourist (1821–1906) who travelled widely across Europe, Africa and India, painting quick, luminous watercolours in the manner of Turner.

Why did Brabazon only exhibit late in life?

He saw himself as a gentleman amateur with independent means and painted for his own pleasure. Friends, especially John Singer Sargent, persuaded him to show his work in his mid-seventies.

Why is he called Brabazon Brabazon?

He was born Hercules Brabazon Sharpe, but when he inherited family estates in 1847 the will required him to take the surname Brabazon.

Where can I see Brabazon's work?

His watercolours are in the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, the Yale Center for British Art and many other museums.

Related Artists

• Joseph Mallord William Turner: the painter whose watercolours inspired him most
• Diego Velázquez: Spanish master he studied and made free copies after
• John Singer Sargent: friend who encouraged him to exhibit