Series: Artists Series

Artists Series: J.M.W. Turner by Andrew Loukes is an essential introduction to the life and work of J.M.W. Turner, whose pioneering explorations into oil and watercolours transformed landscape painting and continue to offer revelatory and definitive interpretations of his time. J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851) is arguably Britain's greatest painter. An extraordinary and prolific artist of incredible range, his pioneering explorations in...

An engaging introduction to the life and work of John Singer Sargent, the most accomplished portrait painter of the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century. John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) is one of the most famous painters of his time. The masterful portraits for which he is best known capture not only a remarkable likeness to his sitters, but a sense of identity...

Frida Kahlo (1907-54) is widely recognised as one of the defining artists of the twentieth century. Her uncompromising vision, self-fashioning and fearless portrayal of the self have all established her as a beloved global icon.This introduction opens an intimate window into Kahlo's world, exploring how Mexican traditions, revolutionary ideals and animist cosmovisions shaped her life and work. It traces her...

An enlightening introduction to the life and work of Gwen John, whose intense gaze and fascination with the female sitter created some of the most beguiling paintings of the modern age. Gwen John (1878-1939) is now widely recognised as one of the most important artists of her time. Favouring subdued tones and muted colours, her portraits of women in modest...

An indispensable introduction to the life and work of James McNeill Whistler, whose atmospheric paintings and aesthetic theories cemented his international reputation as one of the most influential artists of the modern age. James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903) was an irrepressible force in nineteenth-century art, who swept aside convention and innovated in all aspects of his art and life. Both a...

A compelling introduction to the life and work of William Blake, an exuberant and rebellious personality whose radical vision was deeply concerned with the social, religious and political issues of his age. William Blake (1757-1827) is renowned today for his eccentric imagination and distinctive style. His poems, prints, and paintings — inspired by the visions he claimed to see of...

A lively introduction to the life and work of Alberto Giacometti, whose unique style and innovative vision make him one of the most significant and internationally acclaimed sculptors of the post-war era. Alberto Giacometti (1901-66) is best known for his elongated, wraithlike sculptures. Instantly recognisable and inescapably associated with the existentialist despair of his time, these unusual figures presented a...

A fascinating introduction to the life and work of Henri Matisse, a leading artist of the modern age whose radical and innovative techniques demonstrate his lifelong commitment to celebrating dynamic forms and bold, expressive colour. Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was a leading figure in early twentieth-century modern art and one of the most significant colourists of all time. In a prolific...

A fascinating introduction to the life and work of John Constable, highlighting key aspects of his innovative practice and the ways in which he brought a new vivacity to the observation of nature in nineteenth-century art. John Constable (1776-1837) is one of the greatest landscape painters of all time. Inspired by nature and the ever-changing British weather, he dedicated his...

An indispensable introduction to the life and work of Barbara Hepworth, whose sculptures expanded the possibilities for art within modern society, and revealed how it can express human relationships with our surroundings. Barbara Hepworth (1903-75) was a leading figure in modern sculpture during the twentieth century, whose prolific career spanned over five decades and bore witness to a period of...

An indispensable introduction to the life and work of Georgia O'Keeffe, whose distinctive vision and pioneering approach to painting nature offer a unique way of looking at the world and cement her reputation as the 'mother of American modernism'. Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986) is one of the most significant artists of the twentieth century. She had a unique way of looking...

An essential introduction to the life and work of Sonia Boyce, a leading contemporary artist whose interdisciplinary practice explores artistic authorship and the creative potential in unexpected play. Artists Series: Sonia Boyce by Elena Crippa is a groundbreaking exploration of the life and works of Sonia Boyce (b.1962), an artist recognised for her daring creative risks. Unfazed by conventional expectations...

Frank Bowling (b.1934) is one of the foremost artists of his generation. His paintings—monumental in scale and scope, dynamic and flooded with luminous colour—are testament to his boundless creativity. His prolific body of work, from his large-scale map and poured paintings to his sculpture and collage, demonstrates not only his fluid approach to medium but also his deft control of...