We recently came into possession of this lovely coastal scene painted by the renowned artist Ernest Prater (1864-1950).
Ernest was born in Islington, London, England and was of Cornish descent. After beginning his working life as a clerk in a publisher's offices, he took up drawing and, during a period serving with the 3rd Middlesex Artillery, became a Boer War correspondent. Attached to General Buller's column, he sent back illustrations from the battlefield which were featured in The Sphere newspaper.
Post war, Pratter specialised in illustrating boys' adventure story books, working with well known authors. He also collaborated with the illustrator of Sherlock Holmes books, drawing the funeral of Queen Victoria for one Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books.
Ernest Prater passed away in London and 11th June 1950, during his 86th year.
We are delighted that, less than 24 hours after we listed the painting for sale, it was bought by a direct descendant of Ernest Prater, and has today been dispatched to the place it belongs, back with Ernest's family.