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J.E. Tate

Epithet: Artist

Record type: Biographies

Biography: James Evison Tate (Tait) was born in Douglas in 1859 and worked as a house painter (his step-father Robert Gelling ran a large painting and decorating firm and it is likely he trained for his stepfather’s firm).

Tate died in 1914 at the Home for the Poor in Douglas and is buried in Braddan Cemetery.

There is no reference to him exhibiting on the Isle of Man, but his paintings do appear from time to time. They are generally large oil paintings, showing dramatic seascapes looking out from Douglas shore. They often include vessels, often the Isle of Man Steam Packet ships. His artistic period appears to date from 1886-1911. Tate was a direct contemporary of the Isle of Man’s most famous artist John Miller Nicholson (1840-1913) – himself a self-taught artist employed as a house painter. It is likely the two men would have known each other, and Nicholson was known for supporting and encouraging other local artists.

The late 1880s-1900s saw somewhat of an artistic boom on the Isle of Man, with a number of professional artists moving to the Island to paint scenic views of the Island. These paintings were sold to the new hotels, boarding houses and entertainment venues which were opening to service the growing holiday industry. It is highly likely Tate’s dramatic seascapes were painted with this in mind – either as commissioned pieces or speculative pieces. There is also speculation that some of his works were commissioned by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, either for their vessels or their offices.

Occupation / profession: Artist

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This is my great grandfather. I noticed that you have documented hus death in 1914 in the House for the Poor in Douglas. We as a family have been researching for many years and have not found any evidence of his death. Do you have documentation stating these facts please? We would love to know. Many thanks. - Suzanne Fisher Report this

This is my great grandfather. I noticed that you have documented hus death in 1914 in the House for the Poor in Douglas. We as a family have been researching for many years and have not found any evidence of his death. Do you have documentation stating these facts please? We would love to know. Many thanks. - Suzanne Fisher Report this

This is my great grandfather. I noticed that you have documented hus death in 1914 in the House for the Poor in Douglas. We as a family have been researching for many years and have not found any evidence of his death. Do you have documentation stating these facts please? We would love to know. Many thanks. - Suzanne Fisher Report this

This is my great grandfather. I noticed that you have documented hus death in 1914 in the House for the Poor in Douglas. We as a family have been researching for many years and have not found any evidence of his death. Do you have documentation stating these facts please? We would love to know. Many thanks. - Suzanne Fisher Report this

This is my great grandfather. I noticed that you have documented hus death in 1914 in the House for the Poor in Douglas. We as a family have been researching for many years and have not found any evidence of his death. Do you have documentation stating these facts please? We would love to know. Many thanks. - Suzanne Fisher Report this