John Craxton: A Life of Gifts

Born into a large, musical, and bohemian family in London, the British artist John Craxton (1922–2009) has been described as a Neo-Romantic, but he called himself a “kind of Arcadian”. His early art was influenced by Blake, Palmer, Miró, and Picasso. After achieving a dream of moving to Greece, his work evolved as a personal response to Byzantine mosaics, El Greco, and the art of Greek life.

This book tells his adventurous story for the first time. At turns exciting, funny, and poignant, the saga is enlivened by Craxton’s ebullient pictures. Ian Collins expands our understanding of the artist greatly―including an in-depth exploration of the storied, complicated friendship between Craxton and Lucian Freud, drawing on letters and memories that Craxton wanted to remain private until after his death.

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£16.99
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Material Paperback
Dimensions 21.5 x 2.4 x 14.1cm
EAN/ISBN 9780300270556
No. of Pages 384
SKU 12094246

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Product story

Winner of the Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award 2022

Longlisted for the William M. B. Berger Prize for British Art History 2022

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