Accrington lad who became world famous artist

[Atarah]

Ever heard the name Gerard De Rose?

Gerard was an Accrington born lad, whose father was of Russian descent. He was born at "Carrara Cottage" in Oxford Street, the house still being there to this day. The house was named by his grandfather, Mr Tom Dean, a well known mason in his time, who made old-style marble fireplaces and ornaments. The name "carrara" is derived from Italian-style masonry work.

The old Grammar School which used to be along Blackburn Road once was known as the "Accrington School of Art and Crafts" and here he excelled in art. He won a State Scholarship in Art and attended the Royal College of Art in London. Whilst there WW2 broke out and he had to put his studies on hold. Later he resumed his studies at the Royal College and became a lecturer. His portrait painting became well known and he painted many famous people i.e. The then Duke of Bedford, Julie Christie, Charlie Drake, Ken Dodd, Mick Jagger and Morecambe and Wise (if you look closely, you can see M and W on the photo I have included).
His self portrait and a portrait of his wife are still in Haworth Art Gallery, although not always on public showing.
Thats Gerard on the front row, left hand side.

[Tony Ireland]

I had met Gerard a few times when I was a boy, and it was very unusual, I went to St.Andrews in those days when Les Dean was Headmaster, unknown to me that he was related to the lady that lived at the cottage (Nelly Dean) and I used to run a few errands for her you cannot imagine the embarrassment when I called round one day and Les Dean answered the door I thought I had done something wrong untill the lady explained that I did errands for when invited in I was intoduced to Gerard apparently he was Les Dean's cousin I think the the Lady was Les's auntie but not sure whether she was Gerard's mum or not
sorry to have waffled on
your doing a great job
thanks
tony

[beechy]

slightly of thread and by no means sarky
but... was nellie dean the one the famous
song was wrote about
theres an old mill by the stream nellie dean ?

[beechy]

sorry tony
nellie dean ..was written 1905
henry w armstong...
amazing what you can google with a bit of time

[Tony Ireland]

I nearly had put Mrs Dean in my post thinking you might have thought it a wind up
thanks
tony