British painter and stained-glass designer. He was born in Harpenden, the son of a plumber and glazier, and was apprenticed to his brother in a stained-glass workshop in St Albans before winning a scholarship to the *Royal Academy, London, where he studied 1892-7. A scholarship to visit Italy in 1896 and his admiration for Renaissance frescos helped establish his taste for large scenes of pageantry. He painted numerous murals in buildings in London and elsewhere and also produced easel pictures of historical events and religious and allegorical scenes.

In addition he had a successful career as a portraitist, painting five British prime ministers, five US presidents, and many other notables (including Mussolini on a visit to Italy in 1934), all in a solid, traditional style. He published his memoirs, Portrait and Pageant, in 1944.

Represents Queen-Empress Victoria fully apparelled in the imperial robes, crowned and holding the orb, and sceptre enthroned under a canopy of state, upon which are emblazoned the Royal Arms. The Queen is supported by Justice with the scales and truth with the inextinguishable torch, as well as Fidelity and Freedom. The inscription in gold in the background is the superscription on the coin of the Realm. Victoria, Dei, Gra:Britt:Omr:Regina:Fid:Def:Ind:Imp.

From a series of Twelve Lunette Frescoes depicting the main incidents in the life of H.M. Queen Empress Victoria.