Contemporary British Art
Contemporary British art brings together mid-century and later painting, drawing and printmaking by twentieth-century and modern makers.
Contemporary British Art
Contemporary British art encompasses paintings, prints and wall art spanning from the mid-twentieth century to later decades. You will most frequently encounter oil paintings on canvas and framed works on paper across these listings.
The objects reflect distinct movements including modern British painting, British impressionism and contemporary impressionism. These pieces capture landscapes, figurative subjects and coastal scenes created by British artists.
Works range in period from the 1950s through to the 1960s and later. Each piece demonstrates the enduring variety of twentieth-century visual practice in Britain.
How they were made
Makers utilised oil paint applied to canvas, often supported by wooden frames and gesso grounds. These traditional painting materials allow for rich surface textures and deep colour layering.
Printmaking techniques appear alongside direct painting, including limited edition signed lithographs and pastel work over lithographic bases. Paper serves as the primary support for these graphic and mixed media works.
Listings feature oil paint, canvas, wood, paper and gesso across periods from the 1950s to later than 1960.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the handling of the medium and the sureness of the draughtsmanship across canvas and paper. Stronger examples display confident brushwork and a clear command of light and space.
The distinction between standard and superior pieces lies in the articulation of the subject matter, whether depicting a snowy landscape, a meadow or figurative dancers.
Lucy Pratt·John Bond·John Merrifield·Peter Jackson·Sonia Lawson
The Contemporary British Art Glossary
- Oil paint
- A slow-drying paint made by combining pigment particles with a drying oil, typically linseed oil. This medium allows artists to build rich impasto surfaces and subtle colour transitions.
- Lithograph
- A print produced through a planographic process on stone or metal plates. Artists draw directly onto the surface with a greasy medium to hold the ink.
- Gesso
- A primer mixture consisting of a binder mixed with chalk, gypsum or pigment. It prepares wooden panels or canvases for painting.
- Pastel
- A dry art medium in the form of a stick, consisting of powdered pigment and a binder. It permits immediate application of colour and tone over printed bases.
Contemporary British Art: Frequently Asked Questions
What periods do these artworks cover?
The selection covers works created from the 1950s through the 1960s and into later decades.
These dates align with mid-century modern and contemporary British art movements.
What materials are used in these pieces?
Artists worked primarily with oil paint on canvas, alongside lithographs and pastel on paper.
Wooden frames and gesso preparations frequently support the canvas and panel works.
What subjects do the paintings show?
The subjects include winter landscapes, meadow scenes, coastal views and figurative ballet dancers.
Specific locations such as Stonehenge and Oxfordshire feature in the painted compositions.
Are the prints signed by the artists?
Selected graphic works include limited edition signed lithographs by listed printmakers.
These pieces combine traditional drawing with printmaking techniques from the mid-twentieth century.