Peggy Somerville (1918 – 1975)

A remarkable child prodigy, Peggy Somerville was one of a large all-
painting family, and first exhibited to acclaim at the Royal Drawing 
Society at the age of three. The first London exhibition was at the 
age of ten, when her paintings caused a sensation and were purchased 
by leading artists of the day. Her work is imbued with a still 
appreciation of landscape, beauty caught on the wing in a somehow 
inexpressible moment. In an obituary, Freda Constable noted ‘Her 
optimism, and, I feel, an innocent faith in the best things of life, 
made her an outstanding artist even without her truly exceptional 
talent. Her gentle serenity made her someone who was able to 
communicate successfully through her person or her art.’