John Minton 1917 - 1957
painter, illustrator, theatre designer, he was the
'embodiment and symbol of a particular aspect of a particular
decade of London life and London painting'.
His melancholy hidden beneath his gregarious generosity,
he was a well known and colourful character in Soho bohemia
of the 1940's and '50's.
His training was at St John's Wood art school from 1935 to 1938.
He visited Provence with Michael Ayrton, and later shared a studio
with Robert Macbryde and Robert Colquhoun.
During the war he was strongly influenced by Graham Sutherland
and later by Picasso.
Minton taught at Camberwell, then Central and finally the RCA.
From 1945 to 1956 he had several successful solo exhibitions
at the Lefevre Gallery London and his illustrational work was
much admired.
Tragically, he was greatly troubled in his personal life and he
committed suicide aged forty.
cf. Frances Spalding's biography of John Minton, 'Dance till the
Stars Come Down' 1991
Apple Orchard Kent Lyons lithograph 1951 sold
scarce 1960 first edition cookery book with illustrations by John Minton ( remnants of dustjacket)
rare 1st edition John Minton illustrated book 1948 sold
poster for London Transport 1951 sold
rare John Minton lithographic poster designed for Ealing Film Studios, 1948 p.o.a.
to view the rest of our website: