Graham Vivian Sutherland (1903-1980)

English painter, renowned for his work as an official artist during the Second World War. He also painted abstract landscapes. Born in London, Sutherland originally apprenticed as an engineer, before studying art at Goldsmiths College, London. From 1940-45 he was employed as an official war artist. One of his first tasks was to depict bombing damage in the east end of London. Sutherland described his experiences in his journal:

At the beginning I was a bit shy as to where I went. Later I grew bolder and went inside some of the ruins. I remember a factory for making women's coats. All the floors had gone but the staircase remained, as very often happened. And there were machines, their entrails hanging through the floors, but looking extraordinarily beautiful at the same time. And always there was the terrible smell of sour burning.

Books from Alibris: Graham Sutherland