Herbert Read

1 portrait

Herbert Read, by Patrick Heron, 1950 - NPG - © The estate of Patrick Heron. All Rights Reserved, DACS, 2010

© The estate of Patrick Heron. All Rights Reserved, DACS, 2010

Herbert Read

by Patrick Heron
oil on canvas, 1950
30 in. x 25 in. (762 mm x 635 mm)
Given by Dame Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore, 1968
Primary Collection
NPG 4654

Sitter

Sir Herbert Read (1893-1968), Critic and writer on art. Sitter in 16 portraits.

Artist

Patrick Heron (1920-1999), Painter and art critic. Artist of 5 portraits, Sitter in 11 portraits.

This portrait

Heron described the Read 'waving his beautifully elegant poet's hand ever so gently in the air in front of him', the head wobbling from side to side as he talked, 'to give added emphasis'. He saw the hyacinth blues and greens as expressive of the quality of innocence in the sitter.

Linked publications

Judd, Alan; Crane, David, Character Sketches: First World War Poets, 1997, p. 28
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 514