DEATH OF MR BERNARD EVANS, R.I.
| A REMARKABLE MAN, A GREAT ARTIST, HAS PASSED AWAY. Bernard Walter Evans,
R.I. died in London peacefully on Sunday afternoon, February 26th. "Who's
Who" records that Mr Evans was born in Birmingham in December 1843, and was
the son of the late Walter Evans, who was associated with Pugin in the revival
of mediaeval architecture. He was a cousin of George Eliot, and in 1870 married
Marion, daughter of the late Samuel Hollyer. He studied painting from seven
years of age under Samuel Lines of Birmingham, and under the late Edward
Watson. He went to London at the age of 21, exhibited regularly at the Royal
Academy from 1870 until his election to the Royal Institute of Painters in
Watercolours. He was selected to represent English art in the Paris Exhibition,
also at St Louis 1903-4. He originated the City of London Society of Artists,
and has pictures in the permanent collection at South Kensington, the Sydney
Art Gallery, and the Melbourne Art Gallery, and in the Cartwright Hall, Bradford.
He was elected to the R.B.A. in 1880 and to the R.I. in 1887. The frontispiece
in "The Witch of Knaresborough" by Miss Frances Knowles Foster, F.R.G.S.
is by Mr Evans, a specially bound copy of which has been accepted by Princess
Mary as a wedding gift.
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| For years he lived at Harrogate, his residence, which contained a splendid
studio, being 20 Park Parade. Our readers will perhaps better identify the
house when we say it was long known as "The Old Parsonage", later as a club.
Many winters Bernard Evans spent on the Riveria, where he obtained numerous
subjects for his drawings.
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| He was for a long time a prominent member of the Savage Club, and many
other artistic organisations. He spent much of his summer in sketching points
of interest in various parts of the country, but he remained consistently
faithful for many years to Yorkshire. He was a great colourist, and has often
been likened to Turner in his strength and method. His pictures will be found
in important galleries and municipal buildings all over the world. He had
a sunny disposition and a strong sense of fellowship.
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| It is now some years since his wife, who inherited the artistic nature
and talent, died, and if we mistake not, she was buried at Harlow Cemetery
where Bernard Evans was interred on Thursday. When this artist left Harrogate
the town lost a great feature of interest because his studio was always open
to visitors, and he had interesting works besides his own.
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| The interment of the late Mr Evans took place at Harlow Hill Cemetery
on Thursday afternoon, the remains which were enclosed in a massive elm casket
being met at the station on the arrival of the 1.47pm train from London.
At the cemetery gates, the cortege was met by the Rev. Father Saxton of St
Robert's Church, Harrogate, who conducted the service in a quiet and sympathetic,
yet dignified, manner. It was the laying to rest of a great artist whose
name and work will live many generations in the realm of art. Mr Evans had
outlived many of his old friends, but the little circle which gathered round
his grave was sincere and adequate in sympathy. Prominent at the graveside
were Mr F M Evans (brother), and Mr and Mrs F Hollyer (nephew and niece),
who accompanied the remains from London; Major Walter Rowley, R.E.D.L. of
Leeds, and old friend of the deceased, and Mr Walter J Kays, secretary of
the Harrogate Literary Club. Many of his old friends at Harrogate would have
been present but for the bleak weather. There were a number of floral tributes,
and those on the coffin were:- "In loving memory of Uncle Bernard" M Veronica
Wylde; "In kind memory and love" from Frederick Hollyer and Nellie; "With
deep sympathy for the loss of a dear friend" from Major and Mrs Walter Rowley;
"To the memory of our great hearted friend" from Mr and Mrs W H Breare; and
another "To the memory of our great Uncle Bernard" from Dick and Ami Wylde.
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| The breastplate on the coffin was inscribed: "Bernard Walter Evans, R.I.,
born 1843, died 1922".
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| The funeral arrangements at Harrogate were carried out by Messrs. W H
Slater and Son, undertakers, of West Park.
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Return to Bernard Evans Main Page
Harrogate Advertiser, Saturday, March 4 1922 (Harrogate Reference Library)