Peter Lanyon

Peter Lanyon  was a British painter primarily focused on landscapes with a strong inclination towards abstraction. Lanyon stands as one of the most significant artists to emerge in post-war Britain.  

Biography of Peter Lanyon

Peter Lanyon was born on February 8, 1918, in St. Ives, Cornwall. After receiving a private education at Clifton College near Bristol, Lanyon joined Penzance School of Art in 1936. He complemented this formal education with private tutoring from the painter Borlase Smart.

After experiencing a period of depression following a trip to South Africa in 1938, Lanyon enrolled at the Euston Road School in London in 1939. Although his stay was brief, the teachings of William Coldstream and Victor Pasmore had a profound impact on him. He further honed his skills through lessons with Ben Nicholson, delving into abstract compositions and experimenting with reliefs and constructions.

Lanyon's artistic evolution continued as he enlisted in the Royal Air Force during World War II, serving in North Africa, Palestine, and Italy. His marriage to Sheila St. John Browne in 1946 marked a personal milestone, and the couple had six children.

Following World War II, Lanyon played an active role in the Crypt group and co-founded the Penwith School of Art in 1949.

Lanyon held his inaugural solo exhibition at the Lefevre Gallery in London in 1950 and commenced teaching at the Bath Academy of Art in Corsham, a position he held until 1957.

A pivotal moment in Lanyon's life came in 1959 when he took up gliding, seeking a more profound connection with the landscape. Unfortunately, what had once been a wellspring of creativity for Lanyon tragically turned into a source of destruction. He succumbed to injuries sustained in a gliding accident on August 31, 1964, in Taunton.