Georges Clare

George Clare was the father of Oliver, Vincent, and David Clare. Oliver and Vincent were renowned artists, while David pursued a completely different profession.

George undoubtedly influenced Oliver and Vincent, and it is likely that he was their only teacher. In the absence of information to the contrary, it can be assumed that they were both trained by their father, as their painting technique is very similar to his, both in technique and in the subjects they addressed.

George Clare was born in Barnet in 1830. He later moved to Birmingham, initially residing at 173 Bristol Street. He subsequently moved to 185 King Edwards Road, Ladywood, where he was still living in 1871, as his son George (who later changed his name to Vincent) is listed at that address. He then returned to London, where he lived until his death in 1890. It is likely that he owned the Livery Street workshop in Birmingham, which was taken over by Oliver when George returned to London.

George limited himself to still lifes of fruit and flowers, as well as studies of birds' nests. These subjects had been popularized by William Henry Hunt (1790–1864), often called "Bird's Nest Hunt," Thomas Worsey (1829–1875), and William Dexter (1818–1860). These three artists were the principal ones to popularize the "bird's nest" theme. Dexter, who began painting flowers and birds at the Derby porcelain factory, went to study in Paris before returning to England to marry Caroline Harper. Shortly after their marriage in 1852, they emigrated to Melbourne, Australia, where he opened an art gallery. Towards the end of the 1860s, George returned to Barnet, Hertfordshire, where he died in 1890.

George exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy in 1864, 1866 and 1867, as well as at the Royal Society of British Artists and the British Institution, until 1874, after which no further record of his exhibitions can be found.

George Clare's paintings testify to the immense popularity of the highly detailed works of the Pre-Raphaelites, who were gaining in notoriety at that time.