3 OF 111

Benjamin Britten

3 of 111 portraits of Benjamin Britten

Photograph © National Portrait Gallery, London

Benjamin Britten

by Georg Ehrlich
plaster cast for bronze head, 1951
15 in. (381 mm) high
Given by Trustee of the Estate of Bettina Ehrlich, 1986
Primary Collection
NPG 5910

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Sitterback to top

(Edward) Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten (1913-1976), Composer. Sitter associated with 111 portraits, Artist of 5 portraits.

Artistback to top

Georg Ehrlich (1897-1966). Artist of 2 portraits.

This portraitback to top

In November 1951 Ehrlich undertook a portrait bust of Benjamin Britten. It stands outside the tradition of British post-war sculpture, which is hardly suprising given that the artist was a product of an intensely academic training just after the First World War; but it is none the worse for that. Indeed, it is a convincing, rather intense image of a great composer.

Related worksback to top

NPG 5909: Peter Pears (companion portrait)

Linked publicationsback to top

Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery: An Illustrated Guide, 2000, p. 206
Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery, 1997, p. 206
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 77