Theodore Major

Theodore Major 19 February 1908 – 17 January 1999) was an English artist who was considered a great individualist in the British art world.

Born in Wigan, England, Major insisted that he was essentially self-taught as an artist. He actually studied at Wigan Art School between 1927–1932, and taught there between 1930-1950,^[1] and in 1952 founded the Wigan Arts Club.

Major established a reputation as a Lancashire artist. He drew cartoons for the Daily Mail and the Manchester Guardian. He shared exhibitions with his close contemporary L. S. Lowry.^[2] He was a member of the Manchester Group, along with Lowry, exhibiting at the Mid-Day Studios founded and run by Margo Ingham and Ned Owens^[3] .

Major became noted for his grim depictions of Wigan streets and factories, pictures of children, of lonely seascapes, of nudes and nightmare imaginations.^[2]

"To disturb and extend consciousness in the mind of the viewer" was his declared aim. He declined to sell pictures, "not to the people who want them, the rich people". ^[2] He eventually had to buy the house next door as a store. He used a small front bedroom, with a good light, as a studio.^[2] He kept around 3000 of his pictures back from sale, saying that they were painted for ordinary people, not money.^[4] He used the house next door as a gallery & the general public were welcome to view his paintings for free.

The art critic and novelist John Berger called Major's pictures "among the best English paintings of our time".^[4]

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