Henry Tonks
(1862-1937), Painter, doctor and teacherSitter associated with 15 portraits
Artist of 29 portraits
Born in Birmingham, Tonks studied medicine at Brighton (1882-5) and London Hospital (1885-1888). After qualifying he became a doctor at the Royal Free Hospital in London. He attended drawing lessons at the London Technical Institute where he met artist Frederick Brown. When Brown became principal of Slade Art School, he convinced Tonks to give up medicine and become one of it's teachers. At the Slade, Tonks taught Stanley Spencer, Mark Gertler, William Roberts and Christopher Nevinson. At the outbreak of the First World War, he returned to medicine and joined the Royal Army Military Corp. Whilst still in France, he was appointed principal of the Slade Art School in 1917.
Back view of an unknown artist painting portrait of a woman
by Henry Tonks
pencil, 1900-1925
NPG 3072(2)
Unknown scene: invalid in bed with three female visitors
by Henry Tonks
pen and ink, circa 1900-1932
NPG 3072(1a)
by Henry Tonks
pastel, 1917
NPG 4200
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