Cecil Kennedy was born in Leyton, England on 4th February, 1905. He was born into a large Victorian family who were all very artistic. Kennedy is one of the most well known members of the English Contemporary School. He painted some portraits but will always be best remembered for his minutely detailed paintings of flowers.

Kennedy studied art in London and began exhibiting his work from an early age. Before he was 24, he had shown at the Royal Scottish Academy and the Royal Hibernian Academy, and he then went on to exhibit regularly at the Royal Academy and in the provinces.

During the early 1930's Cecil Kennedy married Winifred Aves, and she was to become a major influence and inspirati...