BERKELEY STUDIO

As per the above first image, named 'The Finest View in Europe' by Snaffles in 1926, Loftus Arkwright, founder of Berkeley Studios, understands the value and culture of paintings across the centuries. Berkeley Studio deals mainly with art by Snaffles, Cecil Aldin and Sir Alfred Munnings. Snaffles (1884 - 1967) was christened Charlie Johnson Payne and was the son of a Warwickshire shopkeeper. His sojourn in India and his obsession with hunting, combined with his unique ability to transfer humour and incident to his paintings makes him one of the most sought after sporting artists of the 20th Century.

The Berkeley Studio website, berkeleystudio.co.uk, exhibits the majority of their stock. Purchases can be made via the website or over the telephone. National and international shipping and delivery can be arranged for customers. In addition, pictures can be viewed in person at The Berkeley Studio Gallery in Shropshire, where there is always a warm welcome. The gallery is located a short distance from the quintessential market town of Ludlow, famous for its Michelin Star restaurants and historical architecture, well worth a visit in itself.

Lionel Edwards (1878 - 1966) has been described as "first and foremost a foxhunting man". He painted what he loved doing and his paintings show the landscape as seen from the saddle. It was his passion for the hunting field that gave him the ability to portray so successfully the rhythm and momentum of the chase.

Sir Alfred Munnings (1878 - 1959) artistic talents were encouraged from an early age, whereby at the age of 21, his paintings had been accepted by the Royal Academy who were later to elect him as their President. Even the loss of his right eye in his twenties did not deter him and Sir Alfred Munnings went on to be one of the most talented sporting artists of our time.

Cecil Aldin (1870 - 1935) was rarely seen without his sketch book and hunting was never far from his thoughts. His real ambition was achieved when he became Master of the South Berks Foxhounds. In the Times Obituary he was described as one of the leading spirits in the renaissance of British sporting art.

Tom Carr (1912-1977) worked in pencil, watercolours, oils and dry point etching, the latter a skill he was taught in the studio of Vernon Stokes, and over the years received many commissions and great acclaim. He visited over 60 hunts and produced works covering hunting, racing and military subjects.

Frank Algernon Stewart (1877-1945) was a student at Slade Art College and The School of Animal Painting, which Lionel Edwards also attended. He worked as a correspondent for the Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News, during the Boar War. He painted throughout his army career and on retiring went back to the hunting field, where he would be found following on bicycle, on foot or on horseback, and never without his sketch pad.

Mark Huskinson work depicts his piquant sense of humour and a lifetime spent on the sporting and playing fields around the world. He has had a number of one-man shows and exhibitions in England and America, and eight of his line drawings can be found in the Royal Collection. It can be said that what Michelangelo did for the Sistine Chapel, Mark Huskinson has done for the Loos of Britain! All cartoons are pencil signed by Mark and are available mounted.

Berkeley Studios offers professional valuation and artistic profile services, including:
Valuing your sporting art and giving you a valuation certificate and a brief profile of the artist.
Giving you two valuations; an estimate of what the item could achieve at auction and the figure you should insure your item for (replacement value).
Advise on how you might go about selling your item and supply you with contacts to achieve this.

Berkeley Studio can do all the above based on good quality detailed photographs, a brief description of the item and what you know of its history. Collectors simply e-mail or post the photographs to Berkeley Studio and they do the rest.