The School of London was a loosely knit group of artists that emerged in the 1970s in London, England.

The group was made up of a diverse set of artists who shared a common interest in figurative painting and a desire to move away from the abstract and conceptual art that dominated the art world at the time.

This article will explore the history of the School of London art movement, its key artists and their contributions to the art world.

Origins of the School of London

The School of London emerged in the 1970s as a response to the rise of abstract and conceptual art, which had dominated the art world since the 1960s.

The artists who formed the School of London were interested in figurative painting and the human figure, which had been neglected in the art world for years.

They sought to create works that were grounded in the human experience and that explored the complexities of human emotion and psychology.

Key Artists of the School of London

The School of London was made up of a diverse set of artists who shared a common interest in figurative painting.

Some of the key artists associated with the movement include Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, Frank Auerbach, Leon Kossoff, and Paula Rego.

Lucian Freud was one of the most important artists associated with the School of London.

He was known for his intense and often disturbing portraits of people, which captured the raw emotions and psychological complexities of his subjects.

His paintings were often characterized by their thick impasto and their use of bold colors.

Francis Bacon was another important artist associated with the School of London.

He was known for his visceral and often grotesque depictions of the human figure, which explored themes of violence, sexuality, and power.

His paintings were often characterized by their use of bold, expressive brushstrokes and their distorted and fragmented forms.

Frank Auerbach was another important artist associated with the School of London.

He was known for his heavily impastoed portraits and landscapes, which captured the essence of his subjects through their thick layers of paint.

His paintings were often characterized by their intense physicality and their use of muted colors.

Leon Kossoff was another important artist associated with the School of London.

He was known for his expressive and often abstracted depictions of the urban landscape.

His paintings were often characterized by their thick layers of impasto and their use of rich, earthy colors.

Paula Rego was the only female artist associated with the School of London.

She was known for her figurative paintings, which explored themes of gender, power, and sexuality.

Her paintings were often characterized by their use of bold colors and their narrative complexity.

Contributions of the School of London

The School of London made important contributions to the art world in the 1970s and 1980s. They challenged the dominant trends in the art world and reinvigorated interest in figurative painting.

They also helped to bring attention to the work of older, more established artists who had been marginalized by the art world, such as Francis Bacon.

The School of London also helped to pave the way for a new generation of figurative painters, who would go on to become some of the most important artists of the late 20th century.

These artists included David Hockney, Peter Doig, and Jenny Saville, among others.

Legacy of the School of London

The legacy of the School of London can be seen in the work of many contemporary artists who continue to explore the human figure and the complexities of human emotion and psychology.

They also helped to open up new avenues of exploration in art, such as the use of thick impasto and expressive brushstrokes, which continue to be used by artists today.

School of London – Wrap Up

The School of London was a loosely knit group of artists who emerged in the 1970s in response to the dominance of abstract and conceptual art.

They sought to create works that were grounded in the human experience and that explored the complexities of human emotion and psychology.

The key artists associated with the movement included Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, Frank Auerbach, Leon Kossoff, and Paula Rego.

Their contributions to the art world have been significant, and their legacy can be seen in the work of many contemporary artists today.