Frederick Cuming

Frederick George Rees Cuming (February 16, 1930 – 12 June, 2022), normally known as Fred Cuming, was a contemporary British landscape painter, who worked in a traditional manner.

Life and art Cuming was born in London of English, Scottish and Irish ancestry. He received his art education at Sidcup School of Art (1945–49) and, after National Service, at the Royal College of Art. He was awarded the Abbey Minor Travelling Scholarship to visit Italy. In 1957 his oil painting of Lewisham Road was included as one of the 'Young Artists of Promise' in Jack Beddington's book. In 1969, he was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy (ARA), and a Royal Academician (RA) in 1974. He was elected as a member of the New English Art Club in 1960.

As well as continuing to paint Italian scenes, including Venice, he still devoted much time to the landscape of the Southern English coastline, including Hastings and Rye. His art has an impressionist quality which captures "the fleeting impressions of his surroundings". He first encountered such landscapes as a child evacuee during the Blitz. The powerful contrast to his home in London created an enduring love for it.

In a review for the BBC, Andrew Walker said:

Awards His awards included: 1977 Joint winner of Grand Prix Fine Art, Monte Carlo 1986 Sir Brinsley Ford Award, New English Club 1988 Grand Prix de l'Art Contemporaries 1994 House and Garden Award

Collections His work is in many collections including the Royal Academy, Ministry of Works, Maidstone Museum, Carlisle Museum, Worcester College, Oxford, London Tourist Board, National Trust Foundation for Art, Department of the Environment, Brighton and Hove Museum, National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, Bradford Museum, New Metropole Arts Centre, Folkestone, Monte Carlo Museum, St John's College, Oxford, Lloyd's of London, London Weekend Television and the Guinness Collection.