Burra, Edward John (1905 – 76) British painterBurra left school early due to chronic ill health but later study art the Riyal College in Art of London.
His early work falls into the category of social realism and shows a fascination with the squalid and seedy. Harlem (1934), now in the Tate Gallery, London is an example.
Burra rarely left his home in Rye, Sussex, using post cards and and photographs on which to base many of his paintings.
In the mid 1930s social context became less important in his work than grotesque and bizarre subject matter, as in Dancing Skeletons (1934). Skeletons and birdmen became favorite images.
Some of his painting leant towards surrealism while others, such as Christ Mocked, were of a religious nature.
In 1950s and 1960s he also produced landscape of a mysterious and menacing nature.
Burra, Edward John (1905 – 76) British painter
