Francis Ernest Jackson

Born in Yorkshire, Francis Ernest Jackson (1872-1945) studied for two years in Paris at the Académie Julian, one of the leading teaching studios of the time, and at the École des Beaux Arts. While in France, he met both Degas and Monet. Jackson retained a deep affection for France and would return again to paint there after the war. As an artist especially interested in the print medium, he greatly admired the work of Toulouse Lautrec. Jackson would become the leading proponent of the art of lithography and founded the Senefelder Club in London with the express aim of reviving lithography as an art form. In 1913 he was approached by the London Electric Railway to improve the poster design for the London Underground, a campaign which was a considered a great success. Jackson was also greatly admired as an inspirational teacher to a younger generation of artists. In April 1944 he became an Associate of the Royal Society.

Jessica O'Donnell

F. Ernest Jackson A.R.A.

Francis Ernest Jackson (b Huddersfield, England 15 August 1872, d Oxford, England 11 March 1945), British painter - largely portraits; distinguished draughtsman; poster designer; lithographer; best remembered as an outstanding teacher. He studied art in Paris from 1895 at the Academie Julian and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, under Bouguereau, Ferrier, J.P. Laurens and Constant.

Between 1899-1902, he studied lithography and designed posters, at the School of Photo-Engraving and Lithography at Bolt Court, London, under R.W. Baxter.

Among his many accomplishments are as follows:

-1901-1921: taught lithography at the Central School of Arts and Crafts and several other London County Council schools;

1907: one of the founders/editors of the periodical “The Neolith” - printed entirely in lithography;

1908: one of three founding members of the Senefelder Club - created to promote the artistic use of lithography;

1909: became a member of The Society of Mural Decorators and Painters in Tempera, becoming secretary in 1922;

1909: Received Honourable Mention at the Paris Salon for two of his lithographs; Again in 1911, two of his portraits were singled out for their beauty, one of which was bought for the French National Collection.

1913: designed posters for the London Underground

1913: co-founded and co-edited the journal, ‘The Imprint’.

1915: one of the founders of the Design and Industry Association;

1916: became a member of the Art Workers Guild - appointed Master in 1928;

1917: As official war artist, he became technical advisor to the Ministry of Information’s series of propaganda posters, “Britain’s Efforts and Ideals” - all in lithography. His own contribution was one of the Ideals, “Britain and France: Defence Against Aggression”.

1921-1940: Professor of Drawing at the Royal Academy Schools - marking an end to his career in lithography;

1921-1940: He began teaching at what was then called ‘The Byam Shaw and Vicat Cole School of Art’, but after Shaw’s death it was changed to ‘The Byam Shaw School of Drawing and Painting’. Jackson subsequently became principal in 1926.

His positions at both the RA and the Byam Shaw ceased temporarily during WW2, but Jackson never returned because of his premature death in 1945.

1926: elected Member of the Faculty of Painting, British School of Rome; Chair of the Faculty 1938-1945.

1927: made a member of the Academie Royale des Beaux Arts, Antwerp, and an officer of the Order of the Crown of Belgium, for his help in hanging an Exhibition of Flemish and Belgian Art at the Royal Academy;

1929: Awarded the Silver Medal in painting at the Salon, by the Societe Des Artistes Francais, for the oil painting of his daughter, “Betty with Tulips”.

1930: member of the National Society of Painters, Sculptors, Engravers and Potters, ( now the National Society of Painters, Sculptors and Printmakers), President in 1932.

From 1940 until his death, he worked in camouflage, painted portraits of war heroes and finally settled in Oxford with more time for his own work, which included many portraits;

1944: Elected Associate of the Royal Academy.

Respectfully submitted by Margaret Bear ( grand-daughter). Vancouver, B.C.