Cecil Arthur Hunt

Cecil Arthur Hunt (1873 - 1965) was born in Devon and educated at Winchester and Trinity, Cambridge. He was called to the Bar in 1899 and practiced as a barrister until 1925, when he was elected to full membership of the Royal Society of Painters in Water -Colours, having hitherto painted extensively, but as a hobby.

Hunt was initially known as a painter of mountains, particularly the Alps and the Dolomites, and he first exhibited at the Alpine Club Galleries in 1900. He soon became recognised, however, for his skill in depicting a wider range of topographies, including the West Country, the West Coast of Scotland, the Rhône Valley and Italy.

Hunt and his wife, Phyllis, also made many trips to Sicily, where they stayed at the Casa Cuseni in Taormina, which belonged to his friend, Robert Kitson (1873 – 1947), the painter and critic, who he first met at Cambridge. Casa Cuseni is now a museum and is, perhaps, best known for its dining room designed by Sir Frank Brangwyn (1867 – 1956).

Hunt exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy, the Royal Society of British Artists and the Royal Society of Painters in Water - Colours. He also held numerous solo shows at the Fine Art Society, Colnaghi and other London galleries.

Hunt’s work can be seen in many public collections, including the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and the Yale Center for British Art, New Haven.

Additional Information
Victoria & Albert Museum
Yale Center for British Art
Art UK