Robert Anning Bell
Encyclopedia
Robert Anning Bell was an English artist and designer.
He was born in London in 1863, the son of Robert George Bell, a cheesemonger, and Mary Charlotte Knight. He studied at University College School
, the Westminster College of Art and the Royal Academy Schools, followed by a time in Paris. On his return he shared a studio with George Frampton
. With Frampton he designed a series of designs for an altarpiece which were exhibited at the Arts and Crafts
Exhibition Society and later installed in the Church of St Clare, Liverpool
. From 1895 to 1899 Bell was an instructor at the Liverpool University
school of architecture. During this time he became associated with the Della Robbia Pottery
in Birkenhead
and also was becoming increasingly successful as a book designer and illustrator. In 1911 Bell was appointed chief of the design section at the Glasgow School of Art
, and from 1918 to 1924 he was professor of design at the Royal College of Art
. He continued to paint and exhibited at the Royal Academy
, the New English Art Club
and the Royal Society of Painters in Water Colours
.
He was born in London in 1863, the son of Robert George Bell, a cheesemonger, and Mary Charlotte Knight. He studied at University College School
University College School
University College School, generally known as UCS, is an Independent school charity situated in Hampstead, north west London, England. The school was founded in 1830 by University College London and inherited many of that institution's progressive and secular views...
, the Westminster College of Art and the Royal Academy Schools, followed by a time in Paris. On his return he shared a studio with George Frampton
George Frampton
Sir George James Frampton, RA was a notable British sculptor and leading member of the New Sculpture movement.-Early life and career:...
. With Frampton he designed a series of designs for an altarpiece which were exhibited at the Arts and Crafts
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
Exhibition Society and later installed in the Church of St Clare, Liverpool
Church of St Clare, Liverpool
The Church of St Clare, Liverpool is located on the corner of Arundel Avenue and York Avenue in the Sefton Park area of Liverpool, Merseyside, England . It is a Grade I listed building and an active Roman Catholic parish church in the Archdiocese of Liverpool and the Pastoral Area of Liverpool...
. From 1895 to 1899 Bell was an instructor at the Liverpool University
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
school of architecture. During this time he became associated with the Della Robbia Pottery
Della Robbia Pottery
The Della Robbia Pottery was a ceramic factory founded in 1894 in Birkenhead, England.-Founders:The business was started by Harold Steward Rathbone and Conrad Gustave d'Huc Dressler...
in Birkenhead
Birkenhead
Birkenhead is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. It is on the Wirral Peninsula, along the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite the city of Liverpool...
and also was becoming increasingly successful as a book designer and illustrator. In 1911 Bell was appointed chief of the design section at the Glasgow School of Art
Glasgow School of Art
Glasgow School of Art is one of only two independent art schools in Scotland, situated in the Garnethill area of Glasgow.-History:It was founded in 1845 as the Glasgow Government School of Design. In 1853, it changed its name to The Glasgow School of Art. Initially it was located at 12 Ingram...
, and from 1918 to 1924 he was professor of design at the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
. He continued to paint and exhibited at the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
, the New English Art Club
New English Art Club
The New English Art Club was founded in London in 1885 as an alternate venue to the Royal Academy.-History:Young English artists returning from studying art in Paris mounted the first exhibition of the New English Art Club in April 1886...
and the Royal Society of Painters in Water Colours
Royal Watercolour Society
The Royal Watercolour Society is an English institution of painters working in watercolours...
.