George Sheringham
Encyclopedia
George Sheringham was a British painter and theatre designer. One of the first recipients of the Royal Designers for Industry
distinction in 1937, he is remembered for his work for the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.
, the Slade School of Art (1899–1901), and the Sorbonne
, Paris (1904–06).
, one in New York and seven more in London. He exhibited with the International Society from 1922.
Though best known as a stage designer and decorative artist, Sheringham also illustrated books by Max Beerbohm
(including The Happy Hypocrite
(1915)) and Edmond Rostand
(La Princesse Lointaine, 1919). In 1917, he illustrated Canadian Wonder Tales by Cyrus MacMillan. In 1921, he collaborated with his brother Hugh on a book about fishing, The Book of the Fly Rod. He wrote Drawing in Pen and Pencil (1922), with James Laver, Design in the Theatre (1927). and with Rupert Mason and R. Boyd Morrison he edited Robes of Thespis, Costume Designs by Modern Artists (1928).
, London; a series of paintings for Seaford House, London, for the 8th Baron Howard de Walden
(also Baron Seaford
) to illustrate his Celtic poem, The Cauldron of Anwn; the ballroom at Claridge's Hotel
; and the Paris Exhibition of 1937
. He also created commercial designs used in home decorations. When, in 1936, the Royal Society of Arts
established the prestigious Royal Designers for Industry
distinction, Sheringham was one of its first recipients in 1937. Sheringham also became known as a designer of fans.
, The Skin Game
, The Lady of the Camellias
, Othello
, Love in a Village, Derby Day
, The Duenna
, and the Stratford Memorial Theatre's opening production of Twelfth Night, and Hamlet
. In the theatre he worked closely with the actor-manager Nigel Playfair
.
For D’Oyly Carte, he designed new productions of H.M.S. Pinafore
(1929); The Pirates of Penzance
(1929); Patience
(1929, with other designs contributed by Hugo Rumbold
); Trial by Jury
(costumes only) and Iolanthe
(costumes only, 1932).
In 1937, George Sheringham died on 11 November in his home in Hampstead
, London, two days before his 53rd birthday.
Royal Designers for Industry
Royal Designer for Industry is a distinction established by the British Royal Society of Arts in 1936, to encourage a high standard of industrial design and enhance the status of designers. It is awarded to people who have achieved "sustained excellence in aesthetic and efficient design for...
distinction in 1937, he is remembered for his work for the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.
Life and career
Sheringham was born in London, the son of an Anglican clergyman. He was educated at the King’s School, GloucesterGloucester
Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham....
, the Slade School of Art (1899–1901), and the Sorbonne
Sorbonne
The Sorbonne is an edifice of the Latin Quarter, in Paris, France, which has been the historical house of the former University of Paris...
, Paris (1904–06).
Painter and illustrator
He first exhibited in Paris and later in Venice, Brussels, and Berlin. His one-man exhibitions included one in Paris in 1905, in London at the Ryder Gallery the same year, one in MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, one in New York and seven more in London. He exhibited with the International Society from 1922.
Though best known as a stage designer and decorative artist, Sheringham also illustrated books by Max Beerbohm
Max Beerbohm
Sir Henry Maximilian "Max" Beerbohm was an English essayist, parodist and caricaturist best known today for his 1911 novel Zuleika Dobson.-Early life:...
(including The Happy Hypocrite
The Happy Hypocrite
The Happy Hypocrite: A Fairy Tale for Tired Men is a short story with moral implications, written by Max Beerbohm in 1897. His earliest short story, The Happy Hypocrite first appeared in The Yellow Book in 1897...
(1915)) and Edmond Rostand
Edmond Rostand
Edmond Eugène Alexis Rostand was a French poet and dramatist. He is associated with neo-romanticism, and is best known for his play Cyrano de Bergerac. Rostand's romantic plays provided an alternative to the naturalistic theatre popular during the late nineteenth century...
(La Princesse Lointaine, 1919). In 1917, he illustrated Canadian Wonder Tales by Cyrus MacMillan. In 1921, he collaborated with his brother Hugh on a book about fishing, The Book of the Fly Rod. He wrote Drawing in Pen and Pencil (1922), with James Laver, Design in the Theatre (1927). and with Rupert Mason and R. Boyd Morrison he edited Robes of Thespis, Costume Designs by Modern Artists (1928).
Decorator
As a decorator, Sheringham designed the music room at 40 Devonshire HouseDevonshire House
Devonshire House in Piccadilly was the London residence of the Dukes of Devonshire in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was built for William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire in the Palladian style, to designs by William Kent...
, London; a series of paintings for Seaford House, London, for the 8th Baron Howard de Walden
Baron Howard de Walden
Baron Howard de Walden is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created by writ of summons, by Queen Elizabeth I for Admiral Lord Thomas Howard, a younger son of the 4th Duke of Norfolk, in 1597. The title was reportedly granted for the Admiral's role in the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588...
(also Baron Seaford
Baron Seaford
Baron Seaford, of Seaford in the County of Sussex, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1826 for Charles Ellis, who had earlier represented Heytesbury, Seaford and East Grinstead in the House of Commons. In 1798 he married the Hon...
) to illustrate his Celtic poem, The Cauldron of Anwn; the ballroom at Claridge's Hotel
Claridge's
Claridge's is a luxury hotel in Mayfair, central London. It is located at the corner of Brook Street and Davies Street.-History:Claridge's is a traditional grand hotel. Its extensive and old connections with royalty have led to it being referred to as an "extension to Buckingham Palace"...
; and the Paris Exhibition of 1937
Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne (1937)
The Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne was held from May 25 to November 25, 1937 in Paris, France...
. He also created commercial designs used in home decorations. When, in 1936, the Royal Society of Arts
Royal Society of Arts
The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce is a British multi-disciplinary institution, based in London. The name Royal Society of Arts is frequently used for brevity...
established the prestigious Royal Designers for Industry
Royal Designers for Industry
Royal Designer for Industry is a distinction established by the British Royal Society of Arts in 1936, to encourage a high standard of industrial design and enhance the status of designers. It is awarded to people who have achieved "sustained excellence in aesthetic and efficient design for...
distinction, Sheringham was one of its first recipients in 1937. Sheringham also became known as a designer of fans.
Stage designer
Sheringham designed scenery and costumes for ballets, opera and straight theatre including The Clandestine MarriageThe Clandestine Marriage
The Clandestine Marriage is a comedy by George Colman the Elder and David Garrick, first performed in 1766 at Drury Lane. The idea came from one of William Hogarth's engravings.-Plot summary:...
, The Skin Game
The Skin Game (play)
The Skin Game is a play by the John Galsworthy. It was first performed at the St Martins Theatre, London in 1920. It has been made into a film twice, in 1921 and in 1931. The latter adapatation was directed by Alfred Hitchcock.-Plot:...
, The Lady of the Camellias
The Lady of the Camellias
The Lady of the Camellias is a novel by Alexandre Dumas, fils, first published in 1848, and subsequently adapted for the stage. The Lady of the Camellias premiered at the Théâtre du Vaudeville in Paris, France on February 2, 1852. The play was an instant success, and Giuseppe Verdi immediately set...
, Othello
Othello
The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1603, and based on the Italian short story "Un Capitano Moro" by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio, first published in 1565...
, Love in a Village, Derby Day
Derby Day (light opera)
Derby Day is a 1932 three-act light opera, with music composed by Alfred Reynolds to a libretto by A. P. Herbert. Herbert wrote his text between March and May 1931, whilst on a trip to Australia, during the first run of his successful Tantivy Towers....
, The Duenna
The Duenna
The Duenna is a three-act comic opera, mostly composed by Thomas Linley the elder and his son, Thomas Linley the younger, to an English-language libretto by Richard Brinsley Sheridan...
, and the Stratford Memorial Theatre's opening production of Twelfth Night, and Hamlet
Hamlet
The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
. In the theatre he worked closely with the actor-manager Nigel Playfair
Nigel Playfair
Sir Nigel Playfair was the actor-manager of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, London, in the 1920s. He studied at University College, Oxford....
.
For D’Oyly Carte, he designed new productions of H.M.S. Pinafore
H.M.S. Pinafore
H.M.S. Pinafore; or, The Lass That Loved a Sailor is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and a libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It opened at the Opera Comique in London, England, on 25 May 1878 and ran for 571 performances, which was the second-longest run of any musical...
(1929); The Pirates of Penzance
The Pirates of Penzance
The Pirates of Penzance; or, The Slave of Duty is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. The opera's official premiere was at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City on 31 December 1879, where the show was well received by both audiences...
(1929); Patience
Patience (opera)
Patience; or, Bunthorne's Bride, is a comic opera in two acts with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. First performed at the Opera Comique, London, on 23 April 1881, it moved to the 1,292-seat Savoy Theatre on 10 October 1881, where it was the first theatrical production in the...
(1929, with other designs contributed by Hugo Rumbold
Hugo Rumbold
Hugo Cecil Levinge Rumbold was a British theatrical scenery and costume designer.-Life and career:Rumbold was the son of Sir Horace Rumbold, eighth baronet of Woodhall , and his second wife, Louisa Anne , daughter of Thomas Russell Crampton...
); Trial by Jury
Trial by Jury
Trial by Jury is a comic opera in one act, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It was first produced on 25 March 1875, at London's Royalty Theatre, where it initially ran for 131 performances and was considered a hit, receiving critical praise and outrunning its...
(costumes only) and Iolanthe
Iolanthe
Iolanthe; or, The Peer and the Peri is a comic opera with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It is one of the Savoy operas and is the seventh collaboration of the fourteen between Gilbert and Sullivan....
(costumes only, 1932).
Last years and honours
Sheringham obtained a Grand Prix at the Paris Salon in 1925 for mural and theatrical design. An invalid from 1932, he continued to paint flowers.In 1937, George Sheringham died on 11 November in his home in Hampstead
Hampstead
Hampstead is an area of London, England, north-west of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Camden in Inner London, it is known for its intellectual, liberal, artistic, musical and literary associations and for Hampstead Heath, a large, hilly expanse of parkland...
, London, two days before his 53rd birthday.