John Craxton

Born into a large, musical, and bohemian family in London, the British artist John Craxton (19222009) has been described as a Neo-Romantic, but he called himself a kind of Arcadian. His early art was influenced by Blake, Palmer, Mir, and Picasso. After achieving a dream of moving to Greece, his work evolved as a personal response to Byzantine mosaics, El Greco, and the art of Greek life. This book tells his adventurous story for the first time. At turns exciting, funny, and poignant, the saga is enlivened by Craxtons ebullient pictures. Ian Collins expands our understanding of the artist greatlyincluding an in-depth exploration of the storied, complicated friendship between Craxton and Lucian Freud, drawing on letters and memories that Craxton wanted to remain private until after his death.