Fryer, Wilfred; RI, RSMA

Biography

Wilfred Moody Fryer (1891-1968) studied at the Bradford College of Art and at the age of 18 was the only student in his year to be selected for an apprenticeship in the art department of a local printing firm. In 1914, after five formative years learning his craft and newly married, he moved with his wife to Parkview Road Croydon, where he lived for the rest of his life.

For the next ten years he undertook advertising work in London, tackling a variety of subjects in almost every graphic medium, becoming adaptable and versatile.

In 1933 he became a free-lance commercial artist and also began to dedicate more time to his own private drawing and painting, being especially good at figure subjects. In 1946 he became a founder member of the Society of Marine Artists (later to become the Royal Society of Marine Artists) and a founder member of the “Wapping Group of Artists”, a group devoted to painting the London riverscape. A few years later he was elected a member of both the Langham Sketch Club and the London Sketch Club and in 1960 he became a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour. His work was shown in the exhibitions of all these societies as well as the Royal Academy and the Royal Society of British Artists. 

This collection was donated to HAT by the artist's grandson W Derek Fryer in 2000.

Archive content

Date range: 1920s-1960s

Scope/Formats

Comprises mainly Fryer’s original advertising artwork, proofs and press cuttings (c.1914 –1950s) for a wide variety of brands including:

Oxo, Truman’s beer, Allsopp’s beers, St Ivel, Prudential Assurance Co Ltd, Scott’s Emulsion, Rowntree, Pears Soap, Murray’s Toffees, Sharp’s Toffees, Chiver’s Jellies, Vim, Norvic Shoes, Associated Daimler Company, Skipper Sardines, Steradent, National Savings, Morris Motors, Ovaltine, Fry'’s cocoa, Abdulla cigarettes, Bakelite Plastics and Horrockses fabrics. There are illustrated covers for Homes & Gardens and a large body of material from the 1920s advertising pianos and pianolas for various manufacturers e.g. Aeolian, Steck etc.

There is also a portfolio containing a fine representation of Fryer’s landscape watercolour work.

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