British Artists

• The Arts and Crafts Movement

  Led by William Morris in the late 19th century, this movement rejected industrial production in favour of handcrafted design. It promoted the idea of the artist as a craftsman and sought to integrate art into everyday life.

• Vorticism

  Emerging in the early 20th century, Vorticism was a British avant-garde movement influenced by Cubism and Futurism. It was characterised by its abstract, geometric forms and its focus on the dynamism of modern life; Edward Wadsworth was a key figure.

• Pop Art

  British Pop Art, arising in the 1950s, engaged with popular culture and mass media. Artists like Eduardo Paolozzi incorporated imagery from advertising and consumer products into their work, critiquing and celebrating the visual language of the modern world.

• Op Art

  Originating in the 1960s, Op Art explores optical illusions and visual perception. Bridget Riley is a prominent British artist associated with this movement, creating abstract works that play with the viewer's eye.

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  Alan Lee

  1947–present · British

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  Albert Chevallier Tayler

  1862–1925 · British

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  Albert Irvin

  1922–2015 · British

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  Albert Joseph Moore

  1841–1893 · British

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  Albert Julius Olsson

  1864–1942 · British

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  Alfred Downing Fripp

  1822–1895 · British

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  Alfred Parsons

  1847–1920 · British

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  Alfred Sisley

  1839–1899 · British

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  Algernon Talmage

  1871–1939 · British

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  Ali Omar Ermes

  1945–2021 · British

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  Alison Wilding

  1948–present · British

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  Allan Ramsay

  1713–1784 · British

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  Allen Jones

  1937–present · British

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  Alvin Langdon Coburn

  1882–1966 · British

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  Andy Goldsworthy

  1956–present · British

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  Anna Airy

  1882–1964 · British

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  Annie French

  1872–1965 · British

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  Anthony Caro

  1924–2013 · British

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  Antony Gormley

  1950–present · British

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  Archibald Thorburn

  1860–1935 · British

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  Arthur Hacker

  1858–1919 · British

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  Arthur Hughes

  1832–1915 · British

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  Arthur Lismer

  1885–1969 · British

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  Arthur Rackham

  1867–1939 · British

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  Aubrey Beardsley

  1872–1898 · British

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  Augustus Edwin Mulready

  1844–1904 · British

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  Augustus John

  1878–1961 · British

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  Augustus Osborne Lamplough

  1877–1930 · British

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  Austin Osman Spare

  1886–1956 · British

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  Banksy

  1974–present · British

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  Barbara Hepworth

  1903–1975 · British

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  Basil Beattie

  1935–present · British

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  Beatrix Potter

  1866–1943 · British

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  Ben Nicholson

  1894–1982 · British

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  Benjamin Fawcett

  1808–1893 · British

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  Benjamin Williams Leader

  1831–1923 · British

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  Bernard Cohen

  1933–present · British

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  Bill Woodrow

  1948–present · British

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  Billy Childish

  1959–present · British

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  Bob Law

  1934–2004 · British

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  Brian Clarke

  1953–2025 · British

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  Brian Froud

  1947–present · British

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  Bridget Riley

  1931–present · British

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  Briton Riviere

  1840–1920 · British

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  Byam Shaw

  1872–1919 · British

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  C. R. W. Nevinson

  1889–1946 · British

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  Callum Innes

  1962–present · British

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  Carl Haag

  1820–1915 · British

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  Cecily Brown

  1969–present · British

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  Charles Bell

  1935–1995 · British

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  Charles Dixon

  1872–1934 · British

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  Charles Ginner

  1878–1952 · British

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  Charles Hayter

  1761–1835 · British

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  Charles Rennie Mackintosh

  1868–1928 · British

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  Charles Spencelayh

  1865–1958 · British

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  Charles Tunnicliffe

  1901–1979 · British

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  Charles Turner

  1774–1857 · British

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  Charles Waterhouse

  1924–2013 · British

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  Charles William Mitchell

  1854–1903 · British

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  Chris Ofili

  1968–present · British

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  Christina Robertson

  1796–1854 · British

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  Christopher Wood

  1901–1930 · British

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  Clarice Cliff

  1899–1972 · British

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  Conroy Maddox

  1912–2005 · British

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  Copley Fielding

  1787–1855 · British

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  Cornelia Parker

  1956–present · British

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  Cyril Power

  1872–1951 · British

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  D*face

  1978–present · British

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  Damien Hirst

  1965–present · British

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  Dante Gabriel Rossetti

  1828–1882 · British

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  David Allan

  1744–1796 · British

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  David Batchelor

  1955–present · British

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  David Bates

  1840–1921 · British

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  David Bomberg

  1890–1957 · British

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  David Bowie

  1947–2016 · British

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  David Cox

  1783–1859 · British

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  David Davies

  1864–1939 · British

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  David Hockney

  1937–present · British

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  David James

  1853–1904 · British

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  David Jones

  1895–1974 · British

Showing the first 80 of 158 artists, alphabetically.

• What is Britain's greatest contribution to art?+

  Britain made a significant contribution to historical illustration, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. These illustrations, disseminated through books and prints, played a crucial role in shaping perceptions and interpretations of British history, fostering a sense of national identity.
• Who are the most important British artists to know?+

  William Morris is essential for his role in the Arts and Crafts movement, influencing design and craftsmanship. L.S. Lowry captured industrial life in northern England, while Bridget Riley made major contributions to Op Art. Banksy is a more contemporary figure known for his street art.
• Which British artist is underappreciated?+

  Charles Francis Annesley Voysey, an architect and designer associated with the Arts and Crafts movement, is perhaps underappreciated. His designs encompassed furniture, wallpaper, and textiles, reflecting the movement's emphasis on integrating art into everyday life.
• When did Britain develop a distinctive national style?+

  While artistic styles evolved throughout British history, the Arts and Crafts movement in the late 19th century (roughly 1880-1910) marked a significant moment. It represented a conscious effort to revive traditional crafts and reject industrialisation, resulting in a style that was both modern and rooted in British heritage.