Michael Ayrton
(1921-1975), ArtistSitter in 8 portraits
Artist of 10 portraits
Artist, writer, film-maker and broadcaster. Born in London, Ayrton lived in Vienna and Paris from 1936-9. He trained with de Chirico and Tchelitchew and shared a studio with John Minton, with whom he first exhibited in 1942 and, on leave from the RAF, designed scenery and costumes for Gielgud's production of Macbeth (1942). In 1943 he became the youngest member of the BBC Brains Trust. From 1944, he was art critic of the Spectator, and worked with Constant Lambert on Purcell's's Fairy Queen at the Royal Opera House (1946). Encouraged by Alberto Giacometti and Henry Moore, Ayrton turned to sculpture, drawing themes from classical mythology. His novel The Maze Maker (1967) won the Heinemann Award for Literature.
by Michael Ayrton
charcoal, 1955
NPG 6067
by Michael Ayrton
conté, 1955
NPG 5995
by Michael Ayrton
oil and ripolin on board, 1957-1958
NPG 6666
Charles Percy ('C.P.') Snow, Baron Snow
by Michael Ayrton
charcoal, 1963
NPG 5816
by Michael Ayrton
pen and ink and wash, 1965
NPG 5536
by Michael Ayrton
pencil, 1965
NPG 6599
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