Currently the subject of a major retrospective exhibition at Salisbury Museum, John Craxton spent much of his life travelling and painting.
From an early age, he lived with artists Cecil and Amy Waller near Farnham, a short walk from the Pitt-Rivers Museum, where he was inspired by art, archaeology and the landscape of Dorset.
He received early recognition for a series of paintings made while based in London during the Second World War. In their poetic depiction of a dark and desolate British landscape, the paintings led Craxton to become associated with the neo-Romantic movement.
Seeking a new direction in his work, after the war, Craxton set off to travel the Mediterranean. He eventually settled in Crete in 1960. His experiences invigorated his work with a new ebullience; his paintings evoked the sun-drenched pastoral landscape of the Greek islands and were stylistically informed by his love of Picasso, Miro and Byzantine art.
John Craxton 'A Poetic Eye':A life in art from Cranborne Chase to Crete is showing at Salisbury Museum until 7 May 2016. Find out more.
Browse related images
House By The Sea No. 2, 1946:
Boy on a Blue Chair, 1946:
Galatas, 1947:
Landscape, Hydra, 1960-61:
Landscape with the Elements (Cartoon for 'The Four Seasons' Tapestry), 1973-75:
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Image from top: Portrait of Sonia, 1948-57, John Craxton © Estate of John Craxton, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2016, Image courtesy John Craxton Estate; House By The Sea No. 2, 1946, John Craxton © Estate of John Craxton, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2016, Image: © British Council Collection, London; Boy on a Blue Chair, 1946, John Craxton © Estate of John Craxton, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2016, Image: © Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre; Galatas, 1947, John Craxton © Estate of John Craxton, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2016, Image: © British Council Collection, London; Landscape, Hydra, 1960-61, John Craxton © Estate of John Craxton, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2016, Image: © Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre; Landscape with the Elements (Cartoon for 'The Four Seasons' Tapestry), 1973-75, John Craxton © Estate of John Craxton, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2016, Image: © National Galleries of Scotland.