David Jagger was a painter who resided in the United Kingdom during the 20th century. Along with his sister Edith and older brother Charles Sargeant Jagger, the trio achieved national acclaim. Each attended Sheffield School of Art, and in 1940 exhibited together in a special exhibition at Rotherham Art Gallery and Museum.

David Jagger painted landscapes and specialized in portraits of royalty and other exalted people. The most notable of his works is the painting of Robert Baden-Powell. He also produced many copies of this portrait. The original was presented to Baden-Powell during the 21st Coming of Age World Jamboree on August 29, 1929.

Source: Alison Willcox - Graves Art Gallery website

Throughout the 1920's Jagger produced a select number of child portraits, usually private commissions for wealthy patrons. However his delicate and intimate study of his six year old son was far more personal and remains the only record of his young son in childhood. During his adolescent years Brian had a somewhat fractious relationship with his father, who publicly lambasted his son as 'extraordinarily lazy'.

In an effort to prove himself to his father he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1941, qualifying as an air gunner. He flew onboard Lancaster bombers, serving first with 50 Squadron, then in 1943 he joined the newly formed 617 Squadron, his first sortie being 'Operation Chastise', part of the first wave of bombers involved in the famous 'Dambusters' raids on the Möhne and Eder Dams in Germany. He received the Distinguished Flying Medal in 1944 shortly before his untimely death in a flying accident in Cambridgeshire.