The art world mourns the loss of British painter Benedict Rubbra, who passed away at the age of 86. Rubbra leaves behind a rich legacy, having created over 200 commissioned portraits of notable figures before shifting his focus to captivating abstract works in the latter part of his career.
A Life Devoted to Art
Born in 1938 in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, to a composer father and violinist mother, Rubbra’s artistic talent emerged at a young age. Despite struggling academically, he found his calling at the Slade School of Art in London, setting the stage for a prolific career.
For a decade, Rubbra shared his expertise as an instructor at various institutions, teaching perspective and life drawing. However, it was his move to his childhood home in Speen that marked a turning point, as he established himself as a sought-after portrait painter.
Capturing Notable Figures
Rubbra’s skill in portraiture earned him commissions from an impressive array of subjects. In 1983, he was granted three sittings with Prince Charles at Kensington Palace, resulting in a remarkable likeness of the royal. Other prominent figures who sat for Rubbra included:
- Poet Ursula Vaughan Williams (1984)
- Composer Howard Ferguson (1985)
- Cardiac surgeon Sir Terence English (1997)
According to those close to the artist, Rubbra’s portraits of children were particularly sought after. His 1992 book, “Painting Children,” provided valuable insights into his approach to capturing the essence of his young subjects.
The Shift to Abstraction
While Rubbra’s portraits garnered acclaim, it was the unusual backgrounds he created for his sitters that sparked a profound shift in his artistic focus. Gradually, these backdrops began to take center stage, leading Rubbra to devote the remainder of his career to exploring abstract painting.
“Eventually he became more interested in the backdrops than the portraits, and spent most of the rest of his career, from around 2000 onwards, developing them.”
– According to a close source
Rubbra’s move to Devon in 2001 coincided with his deep dive into abstraction. He exhibited his new works in Exeter, captivating audiences with his bold, expressive compositions.
A Lasting Impact
Throughout his career, Rubbra mounted biennial exhibitions showcasing his evolving oeuvre. A retrospective at Aylesbury County Museum in 1998 celebrated his contributions to the art world, offering a comprehensive look at his journey from portraiture to abstraction.
As we bid farewell to Benedict Rubbra, we remember an artist who fearlessly explored new frontiers, leaving an indelible mark on British art. His legacy lives on through the countless portraits that capture the essence of his subjects and the abstract works that invite us to see the world anew.
