Henry Martin Luyken was an architect by profession, who spent much of his leisure time recording the scenes around South Benfleet and the Essex countryside in general. He became an associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1916 and a fellow in 1939.
His training as an architect perhaps accounts for the excellence of his drawings, but his watercolours are also beautifully painted and his work stands as an attractive and accurate record of Essex in the 1930s and the 40s. Brown’s farm, one of his favourite subjects, was located on the left-hand side as you ascend Essex Way.
Luyken lived at Gable Mount, Vicarage Hill in the 1920s and 1930s and before that in Westcliff and Leigh on Sea. He died 31st July 1955. His widow donated his collection to the Beecroft Gallery in Southend.
The images reproduced on this website are from the collection of the Southend Museums Service. The last four photos from the same source are courtesy of Norman Chisman.
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Sensacional.
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