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A Fireside Read by Ernest Higgins Rigg (1868 – 1947)

A Fireside Read by Ernest Higgins Rigg (1868 – 1947)

Born in Bradford, Ernest Higgins Rigg studied at the Bradford School of Art.  He went on to enrol at the Académie Julian, a prestigious private art school in Paris, popular with British artist of the late 19th Century.  Whilst there, he was influenced by the French Impressionists and was encouraged to paint En Plein Air, that is, painting outdoors, capturing views and colours in natural light.  He used strong brush strokes and had a great sense of colour.

He exhibited widely at select venues, including the Royal Academy, Manchester City Art Gallery, The Royal Society of British Artists and with the Yorkshire Union of Artists.

Ernest Rigg first visited Staithes in 1896, joining other young English impressionists painting in the area.   He lived in Hinderwell for a while and in 1901 he was one of the founder members of the Staithes Group of Artists.

This charming study of a young girl reading to an older woman by the fireside shows an effective use of light and shade and a great use of colour.

If you have any further information, stories or anecdotes about the artist, or any of the members of the Staithes Art Group, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us by email: Pannett.gallery@whitbytowncouncil.gov.uk