plaque · London

Cowan Dobson

Placeholder for Cowan Dobson plaque

This plaque commemorates David Cowan Dobson, a prominent Scottish portrait artist, who resided and worked at 62 South Edwardes Square for four decades. Dobson (1894–1980) was recognised early in his career, exhibiting at the Royal Academy from the age of nineteen and subsequently at the Royal Scottish Academy. His connection to this address spans a significant period of his life and artistic output. The plaque serves as a permanent reminder of his presence and contribution to the art world from this specific London location.

The memorial plaque for Cowan Dobson stands within a tradition of honouring notable individuals by marking their former residences or workplaces throughout London. Many such markers recognise artists, writers, and public figures who have contributed significantly to British cultural life. Dobson's long residency at this address, from 1940 until his death in 1980, places him as an active figure in the city's artistic landscape during the mid to late 20th century. The act of placing a plaque connects a notable person's private life to public memory, preserving the history of specific locations.

The plaque can be found at 62 South Edwardes Square, W8, in London. This residential address is part of a charming square, offering a pleasant and respectful environment for visitors. The plaque is affixed to the exterior of the building, making it accessible for public viewing from the street. Visitors are welcome to view the plaque at their convenience, observing the residential nature of the area and ensuring not to disturb the occupants.

Inscription

“Cowan Dobson portrait painter lived and painted here 1940-1980”
Transcribed from the plaque at 62 South Edwardes Square.

Background

David Cowan Dobson was a prominent Scottish artist, recognised for his portraiture. His talent was evident from a young age, first showcased at the Royal Academy when he was just nineteen. He later began exhibiting at the Royal Scottish Academy. Dobson's art also found display at numerous other significant venues across the country, including the Royal Society of Arts and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. His contributions to the art world were acknowledged through exhibitions at a wide range of respected institutions.

Source: Open Plaques. Geographic data via OpenStreetMap.

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Data sources

Location records are drawn from open, licence-clean datasets, kept here with attribution and gratitude to the people who maintain them.

  • Open Plaques, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). See openplaques.org.
  • Wikidata, available under the CC0 1.0 Universal dedication.
  • © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence.
  • Historic England, National Heritage List for England, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. War memorial records are drawn from open community datasets (OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, NHLE) - never from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is excluded.

Editorial descriptions, photography and tribute links are original TributeLegacy work, layered on top of the open data.

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