Patrick Heron (1920–1999) is one of the most admired British abstract and figurative artists of the 20th century. He is particularly celebrated for his exploration of colour and light, and for the role he played in the development of post-war British abstraction.
Patrick Heron was born in Leeds. As a child, his family moved to Cornwall before settling in Welwyn Garden City, where his father established Cresta Silks, a successful textile design company. During his teenage years, Heron worked as a designer at Cresta, producing his first silk scarf design at the age of 14.
After a period at the Slade School of Art, Heron registered as a conscientious objector during the Second World War and worked as an agricultural labourer.
Patrick Heron C.B.E (British 1920-1999) Eight Including Ultramarine, Sold for £4,284, Includes Buyer's Premium
Patrick Heron developed a strong connection with Cornwall after moving there as a child. He returned in 1944, when he worked as an assistant to the potter Bernard Leach in St Ives and met Ben Nicholson. In 1956, he made Cornwall his permanent home after purchasing Eagles Nest overlooking Zennor, the house in which he had lived as a child.
The region’s dramatic coastline, bright light and intense colours had a profound influence on his work. The shifting Cornish light and natural forms encouraged Heron to move further towards abstraction, using broad areas of contrasting colour and organic shapes to evoke the sensation of landscape rather than describe it directly.
Patrick Heron C.B.E (British 1920-1999) Shapes of Colour 1, Sold for £2,016, Includes Buyer's Premium
Living and working in Cornwall, Heron became closely associated with the St Ives School of modern artists.
The term St Ives School is commonly used to describe the artists connected with the fishing town of St Ives in west Cornwall, which became a major centre for modern and abstract developments in British art from the 1940s to the 1960s. Among its leading figures were Ben Nicholson and Barbara Hepworth. Alongside Heron, other principal artists associated with the movement include Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Terry Frost, Peter Lanyon and Roger Hilton.
Patrick Heron C.B.E. (British 1920-1999) Shapes of Colour 11, Sold for £1,386, Includes Buyer's Premium
Although Patrick Heron is best known as a painter, he was also an accomplished printmaker. From the 1960s onwards, he produced a number of prints in collaboration with master printmakers, working in etching, lithography and screenprinting.
These works explore many of the same ideas found in his paintings, particularly his interest in bold colour relationships and organic abstract forms. The clarity and precision of printmaking suited Heron’s approach, allowing him to create carefully balanced compositions with strong, vibrant colour. Through print, he was able to share his abstract visual language with a wider audience.
Chiswick Auctions would be delighted to assist with the sale of works by Patrick Heron. Whether you are considering parting with a single work or an entire collection, our Prints & Multiples specialists offer expert guidance at every stage of the consignment process.
For a complimentary valuation, please contact prints@chiswickauctions.co.uk or submit your work via our Online Valuation Form.