Hugh Casson exercised his manifold talents to enormous effect over a major part of the twentieth century. Born in 1910, he studied architecture at Cambridge and London Universities and practised that profession for the whole of his working life.

He was appointed Director of Architecture for the Festival of Britain at the age for 38. He was knighted for his efforts and remained in the public eye for the rest of his career

He created and ran the school of Interior Design at the Royal College of Art. During this time he designed interiors for the Royal Yacht Britannia, for Buckingham Palace, Balmoral and Windsor Castle, remaining until his death a friend of the Royal Family.

Sir Hugh’s career was crowned in 1976 by his election as President of the Royal Academy of Arts, which he held for eight years, one of the most successful presidents of the famous institution.

However it is for his wonderfully intimate and observant watercolours that he is best known. A superb draughtsman despite little formal training, his ability to capture in watercolour the character of a place has been rightly celebrated by the illustrations in the books he wrote so easily. Drawing on his ability to closely observe he attracts the attention of the viewer to the tiny details that make up an overall impression of a place. Each work is fundamentally personal and filled with his affectionate perception; his work has a dedicated following and remains increasingly sought after.