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Anthony Blunt

(1907-1983), Art historian and Soviet spy

Anthony Frederick Blunt

Sitter in 7 portraits
Whilst studying at Cambridge Blunt was a member of a circle of disaffected young men, led by Guy Burgess, who where recruited by the NKVD. From 1937 he published many scholarly papers and books, becoming a distinguished art historian. During World War II he served in MI5, whilst also supplying information to the Soviets. In 1945 he was appointed surveyor of the king's (later the queen's) pictures, and became director of the Courtauld Institute in 1947. Blunt was confronted by British authorities and confessed his Soviet connections in 1964, but was offered immunity in return for his information. In 1979 his role as a Soviet agent was publicly confirmed, and he was stripped of his knighthood.

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Anthony Blunt, by Lord Snowdon - NPG P797(4)

Anthony Blunt

by Lord Snowdon
bromide print, 24 October 1963
NPG P797(4)

Anthony Blunt, by Lord Snowdon - NPG P1943

Anthony Blunt

by Lord Snowdon
gelatin silver print, 24 October 1963
NPG P1943

Kenneth Clark, Baron Clark; Queen Elizabeth II; Anthony Blunt, by Press Association Photos - NPG x137496

Kenneth Clark, Baron Clark; Queen Elizabeth II; Anthony Blunt

by Press Association Photos
vintage print, 19 February 1959
NPG x137496

Anthony Blunt, by Unknown photographer - NPG x1112

Anthony Blunt

by Unknown photographer
bromide print, circa 1968
NPG x1112

Anthony Blunt, by Chris Ware, for Keystone Press Agency Ltd - NPG x137497

Anthony Blunt

by Chris Ware, for Keystone Press Agency Ltd
vintage print, 1975
NPG x137497

Anthony Blunt, by Chris Ware, for Keystone Press Agency Ltd - NPG x137498

Anthony Blunt

by Chris Ware, for Keystone Press Agency Ltd
vintage print, 1975
NPG x137498

'Luck and Flaw' (Peter Nigel Fluck; Roger Law with Spitting Image puppets), by Gil Galvin - NPG x134391

'Luck and Flaw' (Peter Nigel Fluck; Roger Law with Spitting Image puppets)

by Gil Galvin
digital chromogenic print, 1984
On display in Room 28 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG x134391

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