Mary Remington (1910-2003) British Artist

Royal College of Arts trained, and elected a member

of the New English Art Club in 1954

Mary Remington was a British oil painter whose career spanned much of the 20th century. Known for her evocative still lifes, landscapes, and portraits, she was a respected figure within the British art scene, exhibiting regularly at major institutions and maintaining a consistent presence in the market.

Early Life and Education

Born in Reigate, Surrey, in 1910, Mary Remington (née Beard) showed early promise in the arts. She studied at the Redhill School of Art, where she was mentored by William Todd-Brown, and later won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in London. There, she trained under Sir William Rothenstein, a prominent figure in British art education. Her studies continued in Paris at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière, a hub for international artists and avant-garde movements.

Career and Artistic Development

Remington’s work was deeply rooted in traditional oil painting, with a focus on still life compositions, domestic interiors, and natural landscapes. Her style was marked by a quiet observational quality, often capturing the subtleties of light and texture in everyday objects.

She exhibited widely throughout her career, including:

• Royal Academy of Arts

• Royal Society of British Artists

• Royal Institute of Oil Painters

• New English Art Club (NEAC), of which she became a member in 1954

Her studio was based in Sutton, South London, and she remained active in the British art community until her death in Carshalton in 2003.

Peers and Artistic Circles

While specific friendships are less documented, Remington’s affiliations with institutions like the NEAC placed her among contemporaries such as Ethel Walker, William Nicholson, and Mary Fedden—artists who similarly explored domestic and natural themes with a modern sensibility. Her training in Paris exposed her to European modernists, though her own work remained grounded in British realism.

Artistic Influence and Legacy

Remington’s influence lies in her commitment to the British oil painting tradition during a time of rapid change in the art world. She upheld the values of craftsmanship and observation, resisting abstraction and conceptualism in favour of intimate, tangible subjects.

Her works are held in public collections including:

• Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

• Blackpool

• Kensington, London

These placements affirm her role in shaping mid-century British painting, particularly in the realm of still life.

Market Presence and Trends

Mary Remington’s works continue to appear at auction, primarily in the UK. Her paintings are typically modest in scale and price, reflecting a niche but steady collector interest.

Her work appeals to collectors of Modern British Art, especially those interested in post-war realism and female artists of the 20th century.

There is growing interest in rediscovering overlooked women artists, which may lead to increased visibility and valuation of her work.

Mary Remington’s career reflects a dedication to the quiet power of traditional oil painting. While she may not have courted the avant-garde, her work resonates with collectors and institutions that value intimacy, technique, and the enduring beauty of the everyday. Her legacy is one of quiet persistence and artistic integrity, and her paintings continue to find appreciative audiences in both public collections and private homes.

Sources: www.artbiogs.co.uk and various web-sources