Biography

Patrick Procktor was an English artist whose work depicted figures using diverse styles. His paintings gave insight into both contemporary life and psychological character, using thin washes, and airy colors, to convey the attitude and emotion of his sitters. Born on March 12, 1936 in Dublin, Ireland, Procktor's early life was beset by poverty, his family moved to London in 1940 after the death of his father. Following service in the Royal Navy, he began painting as a pastime and applied to the Slade School of Fine Art in 1958. While at school, he was influenced by his professors Keith Vaughn and William Coldstream. The artist was included in the seminal 1963 exhibition “New Generation” at White Chapel Gallery, which also featured the work of Procktor's friend David Hockney. He died on August 29, 2003 in London, United Kingdom. Today, the artist’s works are held in the collections of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and the Royal Academy of Arts in London.