A paper-cutting of this appreciation was kindly sent in by Ronald Neatby, great-grandson of the artist. It comes from The Architect and Contract Reporter, Vol. 84 (22 July 1910): 55. A copy of this volume can be found here in the Internet Archive. Sadly, the architect Ernest Runtz (1859-1913), with whom Neatby worked on the architectural sculpture of the new Gaiety Theatre, and most notably at Cornhill, would only have a few years left himself. — Jacqueline Banerjee
THE death of Mr. NEATBY will have caused sincere regret to those architects who had the pleasure of being associated with him. Modest to a degree and without an atom of commercialdom in his constitution, he was an artist in the best sense and was never more happy than when he was associated with an architect in the clothing and adornment of a building.
I know nothing of his earlier days or what was the incentive in placing him in the position to exercise his talents. I first met him at Messrs. DOULTON'S, where he had succeeded TINWELL [this must be a mistake for Tinworth] as modeller, and I venture to say that NEATBY’S work with that firm was not only pure, but original, for he had a keen appreciation of the necessities and suitability of ornament in connection with architectural proportion and detail. Constant intercourse with this artist and gentleman enabled me to see the brilliancy of his many-sided abilities, whilst I was filled with regret that his genius was not properly appreciated.
As an architect one had only to indicate the general idea of a decorative feature, whether in modelling or in mural decorative work, and NEATBY caught the spirit of the undertaking and seemed to think of nothing but pefecting the seeds of an inspiration; he worked with one — he was receptive — and on only one occasion have I known him to rebel against a general scheme of decorative work, and for that I can excuse him, for his whole heart in this instance was wrapped up in his particular conception.
His versatility was remarkable; he was a worker in metal, glass, and ceramic work, and in addition was a masterly executant of oil-painting for decorative work, and a dainty exponent in water-colours and miniatures. Many choice works of his are spread about the country, and a few remain as a legacy to his widow.
Of recent years Mr. NEATBY has been, I believe, the chief designer of wall papers to Messrs. Line & Son, and it needs only to refer to his charming advertisement, "Studies in Harmony," which is to be seen in the Underground rolling stock, to indicate the refinement of mind and execution which always characterised his work. To my mind NEATBY and his work were never fully appreciated; but for those who knew him, his unostentatious ways, and his undoubted genius, there has arisen a gap which will take a lot of filling, although his son is following in his father’s footsteps.
Personally I feel I have lost a friend and an ally in my art and profession — I know of no one who can quite take his place. I believe there are other architects, too, who will feel the loss of his gifts, which have helped to make our buildings beautiful, and I have therefore written this appreciation of a man of many parts, whose work, like so many others, has been ignored during this life, but whose great abilities may and should be appreciated now that the busy brain and hand are laid to rest.
Created 6 July 2024