THEME

Official War Artist

Richard sold his first wartime paintings to the 'Ministry of Information' on a one by one basis but during 1940 he was appointed an official war artist by the War Artists' Advisory Committee (WAAC). From that point he took a salary from, was commissioned by and delivered the paintings to the Admiralty.

Almost all of these pictures are in public collections, mainly gifted to them by the WAAC towards the end of the war. Even though most were official commissions it is clear that his own particular vision informs these pictures, his pacifism never far away under the surface. He fairly successfully achieved his intention to avoid tipping into pure propaganda and imbuing them with a strong feeling for humanity in times of conflict instead.

Survivors from a Torpedoed Ship (1942)

Survivors from a Torpedoed Ship (1942)

Richard heard of this story and it spoke to his feelings about the suffering of humanity away from the drama and excitement of the theatre of war.

HMS 'Revenge' Leaving Harbour (1942)

HMS 'Revenge' Leaving Harbour (1942)

The calm after the air-raid comes across in the delicacy of the detail and the transparency of the light. The aftermath of the destruction is a contrast with the dark tones of blackened buildings.

The Landing at Dieppe, 19th August 1942 (1942-3)

The Landing at Dieppe, 19th August 1942 (1942-3)

The stillness at the centre of this picture is all the more extraordinary for the drama of the columns of smoke, spray and explosions surrounding it. A tremendous example of his homage to Turner.

54 works in this theme:

Air Fight over Portland

Air Fight over Portland (1940)

Oil on canvas

Dunkirk 1940

Dunkirk 1940 (c1940)

Oil on board

Dunkirk Beach, 1940

Dunkirk Beach, 1940 (1940)

Oil on board

Dunkirk Beaches

Dunkirk Beaches (1940)

Oil on cardboard

Robin Hood's Bay in Wartime

Robin Hood's Bay in Wartime (1940)

Oil on canvas

Warship

Warship (1940)

Pencil on paper

Whitby

Whitby (1940)

Pencil on paper

Whitby in Wartime

Whitby in Wartime (1940)

Oil on canvas

Withdrawal from Dunkirk, June 1940

Withdrawal from Dunkirk, June 1940 (1940)

Oil on canvas

A Destroyer Escort in Attack

A Destroyer Escort in Attack (1941)

Oil on canvas

A Motor Boat of the British Power Boat Company, Hythe

A Motor Boat of the British Power Boat Company, Hythe (1941)

Oil on canvas

A Ship's Boat at Sea

A Ship's Boat at Sea (1941)

Oil on canvas

Attack on a Convoy Seen from the Air

Attack on a Convoy Seen from the Air (1941)

Oil on canvas

Destroyer and Minesweeper

Destroyer and Minesweeper (1941)

Oil on ?

Dunkirk Beaches, May 1940

Dunkirk Beaches, May 1940 (1941)

Oil on canvas

HMS Resolution Returning to Portsmouth

HMS Resolution Returning to Portsmouth (1941)

Oil on ?

Night Attack Over Southampton Water

Night Attack Over Southampton Water (1941)

Oil on ?

Portland Bill, 1940

Portland Bill, 1940 (1941)

Oil on canvas laid on board

Raid on Vaagso, Norway, 26 - 27 December 1941

Raid on Vaagso, Norway, 26 - 27 December 1941 (1941)

Oil on canvas

Rescue of the Only Survivor of a Torpedoed Merchant Ship

Rescue of the Only Survivor of a Torpedoed Merchant Ship (1941)

Oil on canvas

The Boats Were Machine-Gunned

The Boats Were Machine-Gunned (1941)

Oil on canvas

The British Power Boat Company

The British Power Boat Company (1941)

Oil on canvas

Trawler Against Heinkel

Trawler Against Heinkel (1941)

Oil on ?

A Destroyer Rescuing Survivors

A Destroyer Rescuing Survivors (1942)

Oil on canvas

Arrival of HMS Resolution

Arrival of HMS Resolution (1942)

Pencil on paper

The Docks

The Docks (1942)

Pencil on paper

HMS Resolution, Portsmouth

HMS Resolution, Portsmouth (1942)

Pencil on paper

HMS Resolution, Portsmouth

HMS Resolution, Portsmouth (1942)

Pencil on paper

Naval Light Forces Going into Action

Naval Light Forces Going into Action (1942)

Oil on canvas

Night Raid on Portsmouth Docks, 1941

Night Raid on Portsmouth Docks, 1941 (1942)

Oil on canvas