SIR TERRY FROST (BRITISH, 1915-2003)
Kathleen, Battersea
titled and dated '48/49, Kathleen, Battersea' (to the stretcher verso)
oil on canvas
51 x 61 cm. (20 x 24 in.)

Provenance
The artist, circa 1986, from whom acquired by the present owner

“To look at a painting which gives you the opportunity to have solitude, to be yourself and to be able to wander into reverie, is more than hedonistic, it’s spiritual” - Terry Frost

Sir Terry Frost, born in Leamington Spa in 1915, began his artistic journey as a young man working various jobs while taking evening drawing classes. During WWII, he served across multiple regions before being captured and held as a POW in Germany. There, he had a transformative “spiritual experience,” igniting his passion for art. Encouraged by fellow artist Adrian Heath, he pursued formal training at Camberwell School of Art, where he was influenced by both figurative and abstract teachings from William Coldstream and Victor Pasmore.

After marrying Kathleen Clarke, Frost moved to the burgeoning art scene in St. Ives, Cornwall, where he befriended Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth, and Peter Lanyon, further deepening his commitment to abstraction. His bold, colourful work gained recognition, leading to his first solo show in 1952 and inclusion in major exhibitions. Frost’s later work was influenced by American abstractionists, leading to simplified forms and vibrant colour fields that, while abstract, still referenced the real world.

By the late 20th century, Frost was celebrated as a leading figure in British art, receiving a knighthood in 1998. He passed away in 2003, leaving behind Kathleen and their six children, along with a legacy that bridged joy, colour, and the beauty of abstraction.

This powerful portrait captures the deep connection between Frost and his lifelong partner, created just a few years after their honeymoon in 1945. Reflecting the clear influence of Cubism, it marks a pivotal moment in Frost’s evolution as an artist—moving away from his earlier representational work to embrace the bold, abstract, and vibrant style that would come to define his career. This painting not only showcases his technical shift but also encapsulates the emotional depth and passion that would characterize much of his later work.