Desmond Philip Shawe-Taylor LVO (born 30 September 1955) became Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures in 2005. He succeeded Christopher Lloyd on Lloyd's retirement.[1]
Shawe-Taylor is the son of Brian Newton Shawe-Taylor and Jocelyn Cecilia Shawe-Taylor. He was educated at Shrewsbury School, University College, Oxford, and the Courtauld Institute of Art in London.[2]
Shawe-Taylor was a lecturer in the History of Art Department of Nottingham University from 1979 to 1996,[2] and director of Dulwich Picture Gallery from 1996 to 2005, when he was succeeded by Ian Dejardin.[1] He has published several books: Genial Company: the theme of genius in eighteenth-century British portraiture, 1987; The Georgians: eighteenth-century portraiture and society, 1990; Dramatic Art: theatrical paintings from the Garrick Club, 1997; Rembrandt to Gainsborough: masterpieces from Dulwich Picture Gallery, 1999; Shakespeare in Art, 2003; Bruegel to Rubens: masters of Flemish painting, 2007; and The Conversation Piece: scenes of fashionable life, 2009.[2]
In 1987, Shawe-Taylor married Rosemary Gillian North. .[2]
| Cultural offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Giles Waterfield |
Director of Dulwich Picture Gallery 1996–2005 |
Succeeded by Ian Dejardin |
| Preceded by Christopher Lloyd |
Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures 2005–present |
Succeeded by current incumbent |