Roland Penrose (1900-1984), Painter, art collector and writer on art

Sir Roland Algernon Penrose

Sitter in 15 portraits
Artist of 1 portrait
Artist, writer, poet and collector; founder (in 1947) of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA). A friend and biographer of Picasso, Man Ray, Max Ernst and Joan Miró, it was Penrose's interest in Surrealism and Catalan art that brought him to Spain at the outset of the Civil War. An ardent supporter of the Republican cause, he became involved in efforts to raise money for anti-fascist forces and campaigned for British backing.