Edward Seago, R.W.S.

The present work is a possible portrait of Edward Seago’s lover, Peter Seymour, dressed as a lady. Seymour was a frequent sitter for the artist, being both Seago’s lover and his studio assistant. He was also an artist in his own right. Together they travelled the world and then later settled down in East Anglia in a home they called ‘Dutch House’.

Seago is best known for his landscapes and portraits. He was mainly self-taught as an artist, having travelled with circuses in the 1930s and then painting scenes of the Second World War. He was recognised by the British Royal family as one of the great portrait painters of his time, being appointed the official Coronation artist in 1956.