Graham Sutherland OM (1903 – 1980) was an English artist known for his works largely focused on landscape and religion. Born in London, Sutherland studied at Goldsmiths’ School of Art, London, where he established a reputation, even as a student, as a fine printmaker. He taught at the Chelsea School of Art for much of his early career, until the outbreak of war in 1939. After his seminal wartime work, painting almost apocalyptic scenes of London’s East End, Sutherland began his successful forex into portraiture, and became an evermore prolific printmaker.
Having converted to Catholicism in 1926, Sutherland’s later work became increasingly focussed on religion. He is perhaps most famous for his ‘Christ in Glory’, the world’s largest tapestry in Coventry Cathedral. Sutherland first visited Pembrokeshire in 1934. He was deeply inspired by the Welsh countryside and he visited every year until the outbreak of the Second World War and his posting as an Official War Artist.
During his varied career Sutherland was also known for his friendship with Pablo Picasso and painting Winston Churchill’s portrait, a commission by Parliament which the sitter disliked. Sutherland’s work is held in numerous major public collections including the National Museum Wales, Manchester Art Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, Southampton City Art Gallery and The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.