Edward Burra

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Edward Burra (29 March 1905 – 22 October 1976) was an English painter, draughtsman and printmaker, best known for his depictions of the urban underworld, black culture and the Harlem scene of the 1930s. Although not openly gay, Burra, for his time, possessed a decidedly camp sensibility.

Burra was born in South Kensington, London, and attended preparatory school but later had to be withdrawn due to anaemia and rheumatic fever. Burra studied at Chelsea School of Art from 1921-3, and the Royal College of Art from 1923-4. He had his first solo show at the Leicester Galleries in 1929. He was a member of Unit One in 1933 and showed with the English Surrealists later in the 1930s.

Burra travelled widely, and many influences are at play in his works, which were usually watercolour on a large scale in strong colours. During World War Two, when it became impossible to travel, he also became involved in designing scenery and costumes for ballet and became very successful in that field.

He declined membership of the Royal Academy in 1963 after being elected but was created CBE in 1971. The Tate Gallery held a retrospective of his work in 1973.

After breaking his hip in 1974 his health declined sharply and he died in Hastings, England in 1976.

Archive material of Edward Burra's is held at the Tate Gallery Archive.