Philip Hugh Padwick ROI RBA (1876–1958) was born into a wealthy family, the youngest of six sons, in Horsham, West Sussex. The family lived at the Manor House on Horsham's Causeway. Philip's father, Henry Padwick, studied law but due to inherited wealth he never had to pursue a career; instead he was interested in photography and in 1862 he took a series of photographs of St Mary's Church, Horsham.
Philip Padwick studied at Slade School of Fine Art but it was the Sussex countryside that was to inspire him throughout his career. By the age of twenty-five he was earning a living by painting views around Arundel, Clymping, Pulborough, Rye and Winchelsea. He characteristically painted in a muted palette and impressionistic style that imbued his work with a sense of drama and mystery. Inspired by 18th century masters, his paintings combine classical compositions with a rootedness in the British landscape, particularly that around his home in Sussex, giving his works a timeless quality.
He exhibited extensively, including at the Fine Art Society, New English Art Club, Royal Cambrian Academy, Royal Hibernian Academy, Royal Scottish Academy, and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and Royal Society of British Artists, the latter two of which he became a member.
Padwick lived and worked at Fittleworth near Pulborough for many years, where he was a familiar figure locally and where a road is named Padwicks Field in his honour.
Padwick's paintings can be found in numerous public collections, including Glasgow Museums, Brighton & Hove Museums, Horsham Museum & Art Gallery and National Trust.
