Claude Francis Barry (1883 - 1970)

Much of Barry's early life has been pieced together from letters found
in his briefcase after his death. Also in the briefcase – along with a
very full passport and his battered old eye-shade – was an unpublished
manuscript on painting. This is the source of his quoted pronouncements
on life and art.

1883 Claude Francis Barry born in England to British parents
1885 His mother dies when he is two years old
1897 Goes to Harrow, leaves after two years due to a nervous breakdown
1899 Travels to Italy with a doctor - a drawing and painting tour
1900 Returns to England where Sir Alfred East R.A tutors Barry
1906 First paintings accepted at Royal Academy. Joins Royal Society of
British Artists
Exhibits at Royal Society of Scottish Artists
Exhibits at Salon Des Artistes Francais
1909 Has a daughter, Kathleen; 1910 Son Rupert is born; 1915 Second
daughter Sheila is born
1915 R.A submissions show shift from narrative to landscape
1916 Tutored by Frank Brangwyn. Barry begins etching
1917 Exhibits etchings with Royal Society of Scottish Artists
1922 Leaves family in England and travels in France and Italy to
concentrate on etching
Exhibits at Paris Salon throughout 1920s and 1930s
Awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals for his etchings in France and Italy
Queen Mary, Neville Chamberlain and Mussolini are patrons of Barry's work
1927 Marries second wife Violet Gwendolyn Pretyman
1939 Returns to St. Ives after storing his etching plates in Milan
1940 Joins St. Ives Arts Club and befriends Hepworth and Nicholson
Works in Alfred East's old studio on Porthmeor beach
Returns to oil painting
1943 Paints wartime “blitz paintings” in pointillist technique
1944 A US bomb explodes in Milan destroying all his etching plates
1945 Holds last exhibition in St. Ives and moves to Jersey
1946 Inherits title- third baronet of St. Leonard's Hill, Berkshire and
Keiss Castle, Caithnessshire
1957 Second wife dies of cancer
1960s Barry moves in with friend Tom Skinner and his family in Jersey
1968 Stops working and moves into a nursing home in Kent
1970 Dies and leaves his remaining works to Tom Skinner

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