4 OF 39

Herbert Stanley Morrison, Baron Morrison of Lambeth

4 of 39 portraits of Herbert Stanley Morrison, Baron Morrison of Lambeth

by Sir David Low
chalk, circa 1945
17 in. x 11 7/8 in. (432 mm x 302 mm)
Purchased, 1967
Primary Collection
NPG 4559

Sitterback to top

Herbert Stanley Morrison, Baron Morrison of Lambeth (1888-1965), Politician; Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 97 portraits.

Artistback to top

Sir David Low (1891-1963), Cartoonist. Artist associated with 495 portraits, Sitter in 27 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Highly conscious of his public image, Morrison enjoyed being caricatured. He particularly appreciated Low's representations of himself, displaying them on the walls of County Hall. He even contacted the cartoonist to suggest ideas for caricatures and enlisted his help with a propaganda campaign during the war. Low, a widely respected political cartoonist of the twentieth century, felt the person in office symbolised 'an idea' and often relied for effect on recreating their 'tab of identity'. He remarked drily that both he and his subject had 'cultivated ... the celebrated Morrison quiff'. Low's portrayal of Morrison's chirpy character, with his crumpled suit and horn-rimmed spectacles, reflects his liking for the man he rated as 'the most skilful politician in his party' while still teasing him for being ruthlessly efficient.

Linked publicationsback to top

Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 443

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1945back to top

Current affairs

Despite Churchill's popularity during, and indeed after, the War, Clement Attlee wins a landslide Labour victory in the general election. Labour's success was due to its promise of a better society through the Welfare state, and was demonstrative of the public's desire for a new and better post-War society.

Art and science

Noel Coward's Brief Encounter is released. The film, based on Coward's play, Still Life, is about the love affair between two married people who meet at a railway station. Conscious of the risk of being caught the couple decide to break off their relationship to protect their marriages.
George Orwell publishes his satirical novel Animal Farm, as an allegorical critique of Soviet Totalitarianism.

International

A war on two fronts finally proves too much for Germany as allied forces push from the East and West. On the 30th April Hitler committed suicide and Germany soon surrendered to Soviet troops. Victory in Europe was announced on the 8th May. War in the Pacific continued until America dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing 214,000 people, and ending the war with Japan.

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