Biography
George Horton (b. North Shields, Tyne and Wear, UK 1859 - d. London 1950) worked as a delivery boy in his father’s butcher’s shop, in the evenings copying reproductions of old masters in the Free Library. in 1922 had his first one-man show in Britain at Greatorex Gallery. He also showed at Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle, at RA, RSA and to much acclaim in Netherlands and Paris. The artist continued to make regular visits to northeast England and, after his London studio was bombed in 1940, lived in Spital Tongues, Newcastle, until 1945, but died in London. He was a watercolourist of shipping subjects and Dutch coastal scenes. He exhibited a view of the Fish quay, North Shields at the Royal Academy in 1896. Main exhibitions of his work were held in The Hague and in Rotterdam. He lived in South Shields until 1918 when he moved to London permanently. He developed a very individual and impressionistic watercolour style. Memorial and centenary shows were held at South Shields Public Library and Museum in 1951 and 1959 and Moss Galleries, Hexham, held and exhibition in 1982.
