Donald Hamilton Fraser

Born: 1929

Death: 2009

Biography:

Donald Hamilton Fraser RA in 1985. Also at the Royal Academy, he was an Honorary Curator between 1992 and 1999, a Trustee between 1994 and 2000. From 1986 through 2000 he was a member of the Royal Fine Art Commission. He was on the council of the Artists' General Benevolent Fund starting in 1981 (as chairmen a few times in the 1980s). He was Vice-President of the Royal Overseas League beginning in 1986.
In 1983 Fraser designed four commemorative stamps for England celebrating 14 March as Commonwealth Day for the Commonwealth of Nations.
Fraser's work has been offered for sale in advertisements of The New York Times in 1985 and 1997.
Fraser's painting style was compared to that of Nicolas de Staël and characterized in the way he layered thick bright paint with a palette knife to produce an collage-like effect. The landscapes were still clearly identifiable while nonetheless forming abstract and almost dream-like fields of color. Fraser also made chalk and wash drawing of dancers that contrasted in style with his paintings and highlighted his diverse talents.
Fraser married Judith Wentworth-Shields in 1954. They first met when he attended St Martin's. They were married at the British Embassy in Paris. Fraser also wrote as a ballet critic. Together they had one daughter. Fraser was very tall. At his death, Fraser had lived with his wife in pair of converted cottages at Henley-on-Thames since 1969.

More...