Pair of Marine Oil Painting by Frank Henry Mason 1875-1965

A pair of marine oil paintings by Frank Henry Mason (1875-1965) one painted on paper and the other on hardboard. The pair or typical of the artist’s work with a subject of tall ships painted in a light impressionist manner. One painting is titled on the frame ‘Homeward Bound, the long tricks over’ the other is titled ‘Outward Bound, the out trail-the trail that is always new’ both works are similarly titled on the reverse. The two paintings are fully signed to the lower left. The pair are in good condition but do show signs of touching in and overpaint in areas. Frank Henry Mason was a highly skilled, largely self-taught artist. His art was influenced by a lifetime of working and living by the sea, he is best known for his maritime paintings of harbours, coastal views and vessels at sea. Mason was born in Seaton-Carew, Hartlepool in 1875. As a boy, he worked at sea with his grandfather, before training as a navy cadet and settling on a career as a steam ship engineer, in Scarborough. Having always had an interest in drawing, he began spending time with a group of local artists who lived in the nearby fishing village of Staithes. They became known as the ‘Staithes Group’. By 1900, Mason had become a full-time artist and the Staithes Group was thriving. They officially formed the Staithes Art Club in 1901, with over 30 members. Their paintings, often documenting local life, attracted national attention and were regularly shown in galleries until 1907, when the official group disbanded. As well as being a member of the group and an established, well-respected artist in his own right, Mason also had a career as a commercial artist. This included illustration and Railway Art. He produced over 200 posters for the railway companies – some of the most iconic of the 20th century. These included designs for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), where he was one of their ‘big five’ designers. Mason’s work was exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1902 onwards, and he was elected to the Royal Society of British Artists in 1904. He remains a popular and well-known artist with works in collections including the Imperial War Museum, the National Maritime Museum and the National Railway Museum. This pair of paintings are very commercial examples of Mason’s work with the original Rowley Gallery frames. The works make a decorative pair and are ready to hang. Overall sizes in inches each including frames: 29 ¼" by 20"