Frederick James Aldridge 1849 – 1933

Watercolour 35cm x 52cm, signed lower right, in decorative period gilt frame. 

Frederick James Aldridge painted mostly marine and harbour scenes in oil or watercolour and his work reflected his love of sailing and his technical knowledge as a yachtsman. He began painting as a hobby in 1870 but very soon became a professional artist, exhibiting on three occasions at the Royal Academy and all the principal galleries from 1880. He lived in Worthing, Sussex and many of his paintings were executed in his studio at "Rookwood" off Nepcote Green in Findon. Highly collected his works have a characteristic warm glow, with rich warm browns in the shipping and very pale yellow and blue skies.

His works are usually scenes around the English channel or Venice.

Frederick Aldridge was very interested in the art scene as a whole and opened an art shop in Warwick Street in Worthing in 1876, ‘Aldridge of Worthing’. In 1905 the shop passed down to his sons, Jack and Archie. They established the "Little Gallery" in the family art shop where regular exhibitions were held, including the work of local artists. The Little Gallery remained an important part of the artistic life of Worthing until it was sold in 1965 and taken over by Frost & Reed. The site was later owned by Whibley's the jewellers and art dealers.