Painted c1955, depicting the view across the harbour. Gilt framed

George James Charlton was born in city of London, EC2, to parents that were badger hair merchants. London and the Thames were part of his life and yearly visits to Brighton and Lowestoft developed his love for boats and the sea. He started studying at the Slade School of Art in 1914 after winning a scholarship and from 1917 to 1919 during the First World War he was a serving Officer in France. On his return, he was appointed a part-time member of staff at the Slade by Henry Tonks and remained on the staff until his retirement.

Charlton was said to have proposed to many of his female pupils, and in 1929 he married Daphne a student at the Slade. He was 30 and she 19 they later purchased 40 New End Square, Hampstead, in 1932 which quickly became a hub of artistic activity.

He knew many other artists including Mark Gertler, Sir Hugh Casson, Wilson Steer, Thomas Monnington, Gilbert Spencer, Sir William Rothenstein, William Coldstream and Stanley Spencer. Charlton had his first one-man exhibition at the Redfern Gallery in 1924 and exhibited regularly at the New English Art Club.

Fellow artist and close friend, Stanley Spencer was evicted from his own house and, at a low point, went to stay with Daphne and George Charlton. In July 1939, the trio of artists left for a painting holiday near Stroud in Gloucestershire. By October, the Slade had been evacuated to Oxford and whilst George spent each Sunday to Wednesday in Oxford, an affair between Stanley and Daphne blossomed.

After the war Charlton worked more in oils than watercolours. He continued to teach at the Slade and is remembered with affection by many students. His interests included the music of Bach and all early music, travelling, sailing and walking. He illustrated several books during his life including Anatomy for Artists and Mr. Weston’s Good Wine by T. F. Powys. He died in Hampstead September 12th, 1979.