Eric Kennington

Eric Kennington was a prominent British painter, sculptor, and official war artist for both world wars, renowned for his powerful depictions of soldiers and civilians. His work, characterized by a monumental realism and deep empathy for his subjects, forms a significant part of the visual record of 20th-century British conflict. He was a member of the Royal Academy and his major works are held in institutions like the Imperial War Museum and the Tate.

Early life and education

Born in Chelsea, London, he was the son of the notable painter Thomas Benjamin Kennington. He initially pursued a career as a commercial artist but soon turned to fine art, studying at the Lambeth School of Art. His early work showed a strong graphic sensibility, influenced by contemporaries and the artistic currents of pre-war London.

World War I service and war art

He enlisted in the British Army at the outbreak of the First World War, serving with the 13th (Kensington) Battalion, London Regiment. After being wounded at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, he was invalided out and created his first major war painting, The Kensingtons at Laventie, a stark, winter scene of exhausted infantrymen. This work, exhibited in London in 1916, brought him immediate acclaim for its unflinching realism. He was subsequently appointed an official war artist for the British War Memorials Committee, producing poignant pastel portraits of individual soldiers, such as those in the series Gassed and Wounded. His work from this period is a cornerstone of the Imperial War Museum's World War I collection.

Interwar period and portraiture

Between the wars, he established a successful career as a portraitist and sculptor. He created notable portraits of literary and military figures, including T. E. Lawrence, whom he illustrated for Lawrence's seminal work, Seven Pillars of Wisdom. His sculptural commissions included the memorial to the 24th Division in Battersea Park and a monument to Lord Kitchener in St. Paul's Cathedral. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1924 and a full Royal Academician in 1926, and also exhibited with the New English Art Club.

World War II service and official war artist

With the onset of the Second World War, he was again appointed an official war artist, initially for the Royal Air Force and later for the Royal Navy and Army. He produced dramatic paintings of RAF pilots, such as Fighter Pilot and The Observer, and documented the work of the Atlantic convoys. He traveled extensively, recording the war in the Middle East and North Africa, capturing scenes from the Siege of Tobruk and the Desert Air Force. His work from this period is held by the Imperial War Museum and the RAF Museum.

Later life and legacy

After the war, he continued to work on portraits and public sculptures, including the stone effigy of his friend T. E. Lawrence for the St. Martin's Church in Wareham. He was appointed an OBE in 1959. He died in Reading, Berkshire in 1960. His legacy endures through his profound contributions to British war art, providing a deeply humanistic and enduring visual chronicle of the soldiers and airmen of two world wars. His works remain permanently displayed in major national institutions including the Imperial War Museum, the Tate Britain, and Manchester Art Gallery. Category:British painters Category:British sculptors Category:British war artists Category:1888 births Category:1960 deaths