Lanyon transformed the modern landscape painting
Peter Lanyon (1918-64), was one of Britain’s most important and original post-war artists. He is often associated with the St Ives School, the group of artists based in Cornwall during and after the Second World War.
Lanyon was fuelled by a desire to experience the Cornish landscape as completely as possible. After witnessing three gliders soar above him while out walking in the summer of 1956, he was compelled to take up gliding.
This had a profound impact on his work. Freed from a land-bound perspective, he produced a series of radical, near-abstract paintings which evoked his thrilling encounters with land, sea and air. Extending the traditions of previous artists, he transformed landscape painting for the modern era.
Soaring Flight: Peter Lanyon’s Gliding Paintings is the first ever exhibition devoted to this important, but often overlooked body of work. It opens at The Courtauld Gallery, London from 15 October 2015 until 7 January 2016. Find out more.
Browse related images
A range of paintings by Lanyon, including those inspired by his experiences gliding, are available to license from Artimage.
Browse some highlights below, or view all images here.
Backing Wind November, 1961:
Uncharted November, 1961:
Black Wing November, 1961:
Mexico, 1963:
Landscape of Stone Leaves, 1952:
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- Browse our St Ives School collection
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Images from top: Soaring Flight, 1960, Peter Lanyon © Estate of Peter Lanyon, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2015, Image: © Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre; Backing Wind November, 1961, Peter Lanyon © Estate of Peter Lanyon, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2015, Image: © British Council Collection, London; Uncharted November, 1961, Peter Lanyon © Estate of Peter Lanyon, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2015, Image: © British Council Collection, London; Black Wing November, 1961, Peter Lanyon © Estate of Peter Lanyon, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2015, Image: © British Council Collection, London; Mexico, 1963, Peter Lanyon © Estate of Peter Lanyon, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2015, Image: © Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre; Landscape of Stone Leaves, 1952, Peter Lanyon © Estate of Peter Lanyon, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2015, Image: © British Council Collection, London