William Ratcliffe (1870-1955)

Clarence Gardens

After studying at Manchester School of Art and working as a designer Ratcliffe moved to Letchworth Garden City in 1906. There he met Harold Gilman who lived in the same road. Gilman encouraged him to paint and introduced him to the Fitzroy Street Group, later proposing him for membership of the Camden Town Group.

Ratcliffe's art quickly developed, following the Camden Town fascination for domestic scenes and urban landscapes rendered in thick bright colours. Clarence Gardens was a residential square to the south of Camden. Ratcliffe made at least two paintings of the square which contrast the bright greens of the sunlit park with the purples and browns of the shadowed buildings beyond.

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