Cecil Rochfort D’Oyly-John

Cecil Rochfort D’Oyly-John, known as D’Oyly-John, was a South African-born British artist celebrated for his vibrant, sun-drenched landscapes of the South of France and the Mediterranean. His early life remains shrouded in mystery, including his claim of being the illegitimate son of artist Augustus John. Before becoming a painter, D’Oyly-John led an adventurous life, working on a Japanese tramp steamer, as a lifesaver in Colombo, pearl-fishing in Manila, and serving in the police in Tanganyika. He joined the Military Police during WWII, where he was severely injured by a V2 rocket, which led him to take up painting during his recovery.

Encouraged by artist Edmund Fearnley-Whittingstall, D’Oyly-John developed a distinctive palette knife technique, influenced by Belgian and French artists. His paintings, often of idyllic Mediterranean scenes, gained recognition through British art dealer Frost & Reed. In the 1960s, he had successful exhibitions, and his work was collected by prominent figures, including Queen Elizabeth, who acquired several pieces for the Royal Collection.

Known as the “Van Gogh of Sussex” for his bold, colorful style, D’Oyly-John continued to paint and exhibit internationally despite a stroke in 1987 that left him partially paralyzed. He spent his final years in Rottingdean, Sussex, where he passed away in 1993. His legacy endures through his luminous landscapes and his significant contribution to 20th-century British art.