Tag Archives: Fred Roe

Edward VIII (The Duke of Windsor) Sunlight in the East by Fred Roe


Sunlight in the East’
by Fred Roe 1864-1947
Oil painting on canvas 36 x 44 inches
Signed and numbered lower left

Exhibited Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto 1935

Edward VIII (The Duke of Windsor; 1894 –1972) during one of his visits to the East End of London. Throughout the 1920s Edward, as Prince of Wales, represented his father, King George V, at home and abroad on many occasions. He took a particular interest in visiting the poverty stricken areas of the country.

Fred Roe was born in Cambridge, the son of Robert Henry Roe, painter and engraver; He went on to study at Heatherley School of Fine Art under Seymour Lucas. Roe first exhibited at the prestigious Royal Academy in 1877, was elected to the RBA in 1895, then to the Royal Institute of British Painters in 1909. He spent many years living in London being recorded in the 1901 census as living in Hampstead with his wife and son (Frederic Gordon Roe who became an art critic).
Roe developed a successful career as a painter of historical genre subjects, often connected with the Tower of London. He painted several pictures of Joan of Arc, and also some showing incidents in the life of Nelson. He was an accomplished portrait painter and his work can be found in many public collections including the National Portrait Gallery in London. During his career, Roe was best known for his large historical compositions set in period costumes. He is known to have worked in oils and watercolour.

Price £12,500.00

Ref:2033a