Leon Kossoff (1926-2019) was a critically acclaimed figurative painter of the twentieth century, hailing from London. He drew inspiration from his immediate surroundings, be it the confines of his studio or the bustling streets of the city. Layer upon layer of paint were meticulously built over extended periods, resulting in expressive and tactile surfaces. Using heavy impasto techniques, his canvases took on a three-dimensional, almost sculptural quality.
Throughout his career, Kossoff’s focus remained on the streets of London, capturing the aftermath of wartime bomb damage and iconic landmarks such as Christ Church Spitalfields and Arnold Circus. These areas held a deep personal significance for the artist, as they were part of the Jewish diaspora where his family had settled in the early 20th century. Within the intimacy of his studio, Kossoff delved into the depths of human psychology, creating penetrating portraits and figure studies of his family and friends. He was a prominent member of the ‘School of London’ group of artists, which also included Frank Auerbach, Francis Bacon, and Lucian Freud. Despite their diverse approaches, the group shared a radical commitment to figurative painting in a time when conceptualism and minimalism prevailed in the art world.
Kossoff was also an accomplished printmaker, dedicating himself to the craft throughout his lifetime. His artistic training began at St. Martin’s School of Art in 1943, though he took a break to complete three years of military service. He returned to St. Martin’s in 19493 and studied under the tutelage of David Bomberg at Borough Polytechnic from 1950 to 1952. He then honed his skills at the Royal College of Art from 1953 to 1956. In 1995, Kossoff represented Britain at the Venice Biennale and was the subject of a retrospective at the Tate Gallery in 1996. His work is highly regarded and can be found in major public and private collections worldwide, including the Art Institute of Chicago, J. Paul Getty Museum, and Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art.
www.ftn-books.com has several Kossoff titles available.
