Vessels' Last Dance

The Life and Artistic Practice of Anthony Green

Anthony Green was an English realist painter and printmaker. Born in Luton, Bedfordshire, he was educated at Highgate School in London and later attended the Slade School of Art, where he was interviewed by William Coldstream. His professional life was deeply connected to the Royal Academy of Arts for over fifty years; he was elected an Associate Member in 1971, a full Member in 1977, and a Senior RA in 2014. He also served as a Trustee of the Royal Academy and was a candidate for its Presidency in 1999 and 2004.

His artistic output included oil paintings and various forms of limited edition prints, such as etchings, lithographs, and mezzotints. His work often featured compound perspectives and polygonal forms, sometimes utilizing large, irregularly shaped canvases. In addition to his paintings, he created a pictorial sculpture for the Millennium titled Resurrection, which toured UK cathedrals in 2000.

Exhibitions and Recognition

Throughout his career, Green held nearly 100 one-man shows worldwide, including a retrospective in Japan between 1987 and 1988. His work has been featured in numerous public collections, including:

Green was a Fellow of University College London and was elected to the New English Art Club in 2002. He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Buckingham and was named an honorary fellow of Wolfson College, Cambridge. His work has been the subject of various books and television programs, including episodes on the BBC's Arena and The South Bank Show.