The Artistic Journey of Augustus Kenderdine
Born in Lancashire, United Kingdom, Augustus Kenderdine began his artistic training under his godfather, Chevalier de la Fosse, at the Manchester School of Art. His early career saw him apprenticed to local artists and the establishment of his own business as a photographer and art dealer in 1890. Seeking further refinement, he studied with Jules Lefèbvre at the Académie Julian in Paris, where his work was eventually displayed at the Paris Salon. Upon returning to England, he became a prolific exhibitor with the Blackpool Sketching Club, producing oils, charcoal, and chalk depictions of the Lake District, the River Wyre, and the Lancastrian coastline. His talent for life, head, and group studies led to his paintings being hung at the Royal Academy's Annual Summer Exhibition in 1901 and 1902.
Life and Legacy in Saskatchewan
In 1908, Kenderdine emigrated to the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada, where he spent a decade homesteading near Lashburn before returning to his painting. He became well known in Saskatchewan for his sweeping romantic depictions of the landscape, particularly around Emma Lake, and secured various portrait commissions. His teaching legacy is profound; he established the Murray Point Art School in 1936, which served as the forerunner to the Emma Lake Artists' Workshops. Kenderdine also served as the first head and curator of the School of Fine Art at Regina College. His works are preserved in several institutions, including:
