A Scottish artist lived here. This unassuming blue plaque marks Peel Cottage. It tells the story of Sir William Russell Flint. He lived here from 1925 until his death in 1969. The plaque itself is cracked. Movement has damaged the wall and the ceramic.
Sir William Russell Flint was a prominent Scottish artist and illustrator. Many consider him the best watercolour painter of the last century. He was knighted for his services to Britain. Flint’s life was full of diverse experiences. He was a husband a father a naval officer and a medical illustrator. Above all he was a painter.
His artistic journey began in Edinburgh. At fourteen he started an apprenticeship as a draughtsman. He learned various drawing and painting techniques. At twenty he left for London. He briefly worked as a medical illustrator. He soon realised he preferred independent work. He pursued his passion for drawing illustrating and painting.
His fame grew. He received commissions for books and publications. World War One interrupted his career. He joined the navy serving on ships around the UK. After the war he dedicated himself fully to painting. He became one of Scotland’s most loved and controversial painters. His depictions of the female form were both admired and criticised.
He also illustrated publications for the Savoy Opera. These were comic late Victorian operas performed at the Savoy Theatre. The productions were later compiled into books. The house itself is interesting. Designed by Richard Norman Shaw it was built in 1878. It originally housed the artist Matthew Ridley Corbett. Later it was occupied by Frank Dicksee before Flint. Peel Cottage stands at an angle to the road. It has a cottage-like appearance unlike the other buildings. It has large north-facing windows ideal for an artist’s studio.
The plaque serves as a quiet reminder of a remarkable life. A life dedicated to art and to depicting the beauty of the female form. It’s a small detail in the bustling city. Yet it speaks volumes about the legacy of Sir William Russell Flint. His presence still lingers here at Peel Cottage. A testament to a life lived with passion and purpose.