Rex Vicat Cole was an English landscape painter known for his picturesque paintings of the English countryside. Born Reginald Rex Vicat Cole in 1870 into an artistic family, his father was the artist George Vicat Cole, and his mother was also a painter. He grew up in an environment that greatly valued art and creativity, which had a profound influence on his career choice.
Rex was educated at St John's Wood Art School, which was founded by his father, and later at the Royal Academy Schools. He began exhibiting his works at the Royal Academy from a young age and continued to do so throughout his life. Vicat Cole was recognized for his traditional approach to landscape painting, capturing the natural beauty of his scenes with a particular focus on the effects of light and atmosphere. His works were characterized by their detailed realism and often included scenes of rivers, meadows, and other aspects of the rural landscape that he found inspiring.
Apart from painting, Rex Vicat Cole was also an author and educator. He wrote a book titled 'The Artistic Anatomy of Trees' which was published in 1915 and became a valuable resource for students of art and professional artists alike. Furthermore, he co-authored 'Perspective for Artists' with his father. His contributions to art education were significant, as he continued the legacy of the Vicat Cole family in nurturing future generations of artists.
During his lifetime, Vicat Cole enjoyed a measure of success and was a respected member of the art community. His works were widely exhibited and collected, and he maintained a presence in artistic circles until his death in 1940. Today, Rex Vicat Cole's paintings can be found in various art galleries and collections, appreciated for their representation of the English landscape and their embodiment of early 20th-century landscape painting traditions.