Roger de Grey
Encyclopedia
Sir Roger de Grey P.R.A. (18 April 1918-14 February 1995) was a landscape painter. From 1984 to 1993 he was President of the Royal Academy
.
, a scion of the ancient Grey family
, Roger de Grey was a nephew of the noted post-impressionist English landscape painter, Spencer Gore. He studied art at the then Chelsea Polytechnic from 1936–39. During World War II
he was commissioned in the Royal Armoured Corps
. After the war he returned to Chelsea to complete his studies from 1946–47. His tutors were Ceri Richards
, Robert Medley
, Harold Williamson
and Raymond Coxon.
and France, painting outdoors and then finishing his work indoors. His first solo show was at Agnew
in 1954. Later he exhibited at the Tate Gallery
and Royal Academy
, as well as internationally. His paintings are still sought after by collectors.
(1947–1951) and then Master of Painting (1951-1953). At the Royal College of Art
, he was Senior Tutor, later Reader in Painting from 1953-1973. From 1973-1995 he was the Principal of the City and Guilds of London Art School
. He was also a Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery 1984-1995.
in 1969. From 1976 until 1984, he was Treasurer under the Presidency of Sir Hugh Casson. De Grey became Casson's successor when The Royal Academy elected him President in 1984. Roger de Grey was elected Senior RA in October 1993, the year he stepped down from being President. He was elected RWA in 1994.
in 1996. The Tate Gallery
and Arts Council of Great Britain
hold several examples of his work. He married in 1942 Flavia Hart, A.R.A. (née Irwin; two sons, one daughter) and died in London
in 1995, aged 77.
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
.
Early life and education
Born in Penn, BuckinghamshirePenn, Buckinghamshire
Penn is a village and civil parish in Chiltern district in Buckinghamshire, England, about north-west of Beaconsfield and east of High Wycombe...
, a scion of the ancient Grey family
Lady Jane Grey
Lady Jane Grey , also known as The Nine Days' Queen, was an English noblewoman who was de facto monarch of England from 10 July until 19 July 1553 and was subsequently executed...
, Roger de Grey was a nephew of the noted post-impressionist English landscape painter, Spencer Gore. He studied art at the then Chelsea Polytechnic from 1936–39. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he was commissioned in the Royal Armoured Corps
Royal Armoured Corps
The Royal Armoured Corps is currently a collection of ten regular regiments, mostly converted from old horse cavalry regiments, and four Yeomanry regiments of the Territorial Army...
. After the war he returned to Chelsea to complete his studies from 1946–47. His tutors were Ceri Richards
Ceri Richards
-Biography:Richards was born in the village of Dunvant, near Swansea, the son of Thomas Coslett Richards and Sarah Richards . He and his younger brother and sister, Owen and Esther, were brought up in a highly cultured, working-class environment...
, Robert Medley
Robert Medley
Charles Robert Owen Medley CBE, RA, , always known as Robert Medley, was an English painter who worked in both abstract and figurative styles, and a theatre designer...
, Harold Williamson
Harold Williamson
Harold Williamson was a British journalist.He was born in County Durham and was most notable for his work on the BBC current affairs/documentary series Man Alive and Braden's Week in the 1960s. He was particularly adept at interviewing children...
and Raymond Coxon.
Art Practice
De Grey was a landscape painter. He often worked in KentKent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
and France, painting outdoors and then finishing his work indoors. His first solo show was at Agnew
Agnew
-People:* Agnew Baronets, aristocratic title in Scotland and England* Alex Agnew , Belgian stand-up comedian* Billy Agnew , Scottish football player* Chloë Agnew , Irish singer* Crispin Agnew of Lochnaw , 11th baronet QC...
in 1954. Later he exhibited at the Tate Gallery
Tate Gallery
The Tate is an institution that houses the United Kingdom's national collection of British Art, and International Modern and Contemporary Art...
and Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
, as well as internationally. His paintings are still sought after by collectors.
Teaching and Administration
De Grey had a long and distinguished career as an artist educator. He was a Lecturer at King's College, Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
(1947–1951) and then Master of Painting (1951-1953). At the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
, he was Senior Tutor, later Reader in Painting from 1953-1973. From 1973-1995 he was the Principal of the City and Guilds of London Art School
City and Guilds of London Art School
The City and Guilds of London Art School is an art college in London, England, United Kingdom. It is one of the country's longest established art colleges, and offers courses ranging from Foundation, through B.A. degree, Postgraduate Diploma and M.A...
. He was also a Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery 1984-1995.
The Royal Academy
In 1962, Roger de Grey was elected A.R.A. and became a full AcademicianAcademician
The title Academician denotes a Full Member of an art, literary, or scientific academy.In many countries, it is an honorary title. There also exists a lower-rank title, variously translated Corresponding Member or Associate Member, .-Eastern Europe and China:"Academician" may also be a functional...
in 1969. From 1976 until 1984, he was Treasurer under the Presidency of Sir Hugh Casson. De Grey became Casson's successor when The Royal Academy elected him President in 1984. Roger de Grey was elected Senior RA in October 1993, the year he stepped down from being President. He was elected RWA in 1994.
Legacy
Roger de Grey was knighted in 1991 for his services to British Art. He was given a Memorial show at the Royal AcademyRoyal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
in 1996. The Tate Gallery
Tate Gallery
The Tate is an institution that houses the United Kingdom's national collection of British Art, and International Modern and Contemporary Art...
and Arts Council of Great Britain
Arts Council of Great Britain
The Arts Council of Great Britain was a non-departmental public body dedicated to the promotion of the fine arts in Great Britain. The Arts Council of Great Britain was divided in 1994 to form the Arts Council of England , the Scottish Arts Council, and the Arts Council of Wales...
hold several examples of his work. He married in 1942 Flavia Hart, A.R.A. (née Irwin; two sons, one daughter) and died in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1995, aged 77.