The painted world of Fred Dubery
was all about warmth and colour – a bright pattern of life reflecting a private
place of beauty, pleasure and merriment. Known from numerous solo exhibitions,
and from regular showings at the Royal Academy and New English Art Club, the
pictures are a record of joyful travels in France and Italy and, best of all,
of domestic contentment via a long and happy marriage amid a visual feast, and
a procession of amazing meals, in a lovely Suffolk setting.


Fred Dubery was teaching at
Walthamstow Art School when he had a fateful meeting with fashion tutor Joanne
Brogden. She had trained under Christian Dior and would become a pioneering
Professor of Fashion at the Royal College of Art while Fred was appointed
Professor of Perspective at the Royal Academy Schools. Adding a large adopted
family of former students, their life together was the heart of everything.


Fred and Joanne left a legacy for
art and fashion education and the paintings richly illustrated in this volume –
images technically so clever and so subtle – offer a lasting lesson in how to
live.