Frank Meadow Sutcliffe British, 1853-1941
Frank Meadow Sutcliffe (born in Heading, Leeds) is best known for his views of the landscape, harbor, and people of the Yorkshire town of Whitby and its environs. He pursued this subject throughout his long career, beginning about 1870 and continuing well into the 20th century. Sutcliffe, the son of printmaker, painter, and amateur photographer Thomas Sutcliffe, was a professional photographer, establishing successive studios from 1876-1922. He made his living from seasonal trade in portraits, pursuing his personal work at other times of the year.
Influenced by Peter Henry Emerson, Sutcliffe's style is considered spontaneous and natural, and is noted for its sharp focus and atmospheric lighting. Over the years he worked in the albumen, carbon, platinum, and bromide print processes. In 1888 the Camera Club of London showed Sutcliffe's work in a one-person exhibition, the club's first. He exhibited both in England and abroad, winning more than 62 gold, silver, and bronze medals from 1881-1905, and frequently served as a photographic juror. He also wrote a column about photography for the Yorkshire Evening Post and contributed to various periodicals.
In 1892 Sutcliffe helped to found the Linked Ring, and in 1941 was made an Honorary Member of the Royal Photographic Society. His honest, unstrained style gained him numerous admirers. In his later years he explored the qualities of the new hand-held camera. T.W.F.
