Brangwyn, Sir Frank William

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Sir Frank William Brangwyn (brăng´wĬn), 1867–1956, British painter, etcher, and designer, b. Belgium (to British parents). In his youth he worked in the studio of William Morris and later traveled in the East and was influenced by Asian art. His chief works include Modern Commerce (Royal Exchange, London); a series of panels for Skinners' Hall, London; King John Signing the Magna Carta, a large mural in the county courthouse, Cleveland, Ohio; decorative panels for Rockefeller Center, New York; and British Empire Panels (Brangwyn Hall, Swansea; originally commissioned for the House of Lords). His paintings are notable for their broad, free treatment, balanced composition, and decorative qualities. In addition to easel and mural paintings, he was known for his etchings and designs for stained glass, tapestry, and metalwork.