Charles Anthony Francis Law - Meet the Artists (Menu H to Z) - Canadian War Artists - Exhibitions

Born in London to Canadian parents, he arrived in Canada at the end of the First World War. Although largely self-taught, he sought advice from Franklin Brownell, Frederick Varley and Percival Tudor-Hart. He sketched with Frank Hennessey in the Gaspé and Gatineau regions.

When Canada entered the war in September 1939, Law was already a member of the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps, but in 1940 he was transferred to the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve. He was sent overseas in March 1940 and after receiving further training he was assigned to the Motor Torpedo Boats Command. For acts of bravery during the Normandy landing in June 1944, he received the Distinguished Service Cross. He served as an official naval war artist from June 1945 to May 1946. The majority of his paintings depict the activities of the motor torpedo boats and the Normandy invasion.

After the war ended, Law decided to pursue his career as an officer in the Navy while continuing to paint. He retired in 1966. He was president of the Atlantic Provinces Art Circuit from 1969 to 1970 and was elected to the Board of Governors of the Canadian Conference of the Arts. He was also artist in residence at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

PA-116539
Lieutenant-Commander Charles Anthony Francis Law
showing one of his painting, in London, England.
2 February 1944.