| John Craxton was born in London. In 1939 studied at L'Academie de la Grande Chaumiere, Paris, and in 1940 at Westminster School of Art and in 1941 at the Goldsmith's College School of Art. At this time Craxton was friendly with Graham Sutherland and Lucien Freud and was a member of the Neo-Romantic group of painters. First solo exhibition held at Leicester Galleries in 1934. In 1946 he visited Greece where he worked with Freud and in 1947 they held a joint exhibition in London Gallery. Craxton fell in love with Greece and made Crete his home in 1960. Retrospective exhibition was held at Whitechapel Gallery in 1967. In 1985 there was a show of paintings and drawings at Chrysostomos Gallery, Hania; British Council, Athens and Christopher Hull Gallery. Tate Gallery and other major collections hold his work. Elected RA in 1993. |
