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Herbert Read

(1893-1968), Critic, poet and writer on art

Sir Herbert Read

Sitter in 17 portraits
As a student at Leeds University (1912-5), Read's interest in modern European art developed through his membership of Leeds Art Club and friendships with painter Jacob Kramer and curator Frank Rutter. He became the foremost commentator on contemporary art in the interwar and post-war periods and was well-known for his promotion of modern European art and support for British artists such as Henry Moore, Paul Nash, Ben Nicholson and Barbara Hepworth. He was editor of the influential Burlington Magazine (1933-39) and an organiser of the London International Surrealist Exhibition in 1936. In 1947 he co-founded the Institute of Contemporary Art.

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Herbert Read, by Felix H. Man - NPG P13

Herbert Read

by Felix H. Man
bromide print, 1940
NPG P13

Herbert Read, by Patrick Heron - NPG 4654

Herbert Read

by Patrick Heron
oil on canvas, 1950
NPG 4654

Herbert Read, by Rollie McKenna - NPG P1681

Herbert Read

by Rollie McKenna
bromide print
NPG P1681

Herbert Read, by Howard Coster - NPG x19532

Herbert Read

by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1934
NPG x19532

Herbert Read, by Howard Coster - NPG x19536

Herbert Read

by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1934
NPG x19536

Herbert Read, by Howard Coster - NPG x19537

Herbert Read

by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1934
NPG x19537

Herbert Read, by Walter Bird - NPG x159831

Herbert Read

by Walter Bird
bromide print, 20 October 1965
NPG x159831

Herbert Read, by Keystone Press Agency Ltd - NPG x137622

Herbert Read

by Keystone Press Agency Ltd
bromide press print
NPG x137622

Web image not currently available

Herbert Read

by Howard Coster
bromide print, 1934
NPG x10138

Web image not currently available

Herbert Read

by Howard Coster
bromide print, 1934
NPG x24044

Web image not currently available

Herbert Read

by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1934
NPG x19533

Web image not currently available

Herbert Read

by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1934
NPG x19534

Web image not currently available

Herbert Read

by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1934
NPG x19535

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