sir cedric morris

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Early Life and Influences

Born in Sketty, Glamorgan, in 1889, Cedric Morris developed an early fascination with form and structure. As a child in Wales, he and his sister would visit local country shows, correctly predicting competition winners based on their "poise and balance." This keen eye for natural elegance would later define both his painting and his approach to breeding plants, particularly irises.

His distaste for overly manipulated, hybridized flowers reflected his artistic philosophy—favoring purity, simplicity, and essential form over artificial embellishment.

An International Career

In the 1920s, Morris traveled and painted extensively in Paris, the Dordogne, Italy, and North Africa. He became a member of the London Group and held several solo exhibitions in London during the 1930s.

In 1936, he co-founded the East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing with Arthur Lett-Haines, serving as its principal for three decades. The school, located in Dedham, Essex, attracted students from around the world, offering them an environment of artistic freedom and inspiration.

Beyond painting, Morris played a key role in the Colchester Art Society, which he founded in 1946. He also lectured in design at the Royal College of Art from 1950 to 1953.

Black and white photograph of a young man in a suit with a serious expression, looking to the side.

Painting Style

Sir Cedric Morris was never interested in creating traditional, picturesque compositions in his paintings—just as he avoided strict formality in his celebrated gardens. Instead, he painted with a deliberate flatness, carefully balancing form, colour, and rhythm to achieve a unique visual harmony.

His early works were exuberant, almost embroidered with flowers due to their rich tapestry of colour. Over time, his compositions became more precisely structured, though his technique remained largely unchanged for forty years. Each element within his canvases was meticulously placed, reflecting his deep understanding of balance and composition.

Working Methods and Materials

Morris worked exclusively in oils, applying paint evenly with a thick, consistent texture. He mixed every shade meticulously on his palette before applying it in bold, controlled strokes. His method was distinctive—starting at the top of the canvas and systematically working downward, filling in background and foreground as he went.

This process, which he likened to "pulling down a blind," allowed him to maintain precise relationships between shapes and colours without overworking or repainting any part. Once a painting was finished, it remained untouched, preserving its original crisp freshness and enamel-like clarity.

A young man wearing a wide-brimmed hat, a patterned sweater, and a jacket, holding objects in his hands. Other people wearing hats are in the background, standing outside in an urban setting.

Portrait of a woman with dark, curly hair, wearing a polka dot dress, set against a rural landscape background with hills, trees, and small farm buildings.

Black and white portrait of a young man with slicked-back hair, wearing a suit and tie, looking to his left.

Black and white photograph of a young man wearing a wide-brimmed hat, patterned sweater, and jacket, standing among women in vintage hats and coats, outdoors.

A painting of two women, one with brown hair and the other with short black hair, wearing gray patterned sweaters, against a dark background.

A man with combed-back hair sitting in front of a large floral painting, holding a paintbrush in his hand, in a black and white photograph.

Painting of a young man with short, styled hair, wearing a brown jacket and a patterned scarf, with a landscape background featuring trees and hills.

Painting of various colorful irises, pansies, and other flowers in a garden setting.

Painting of a man with short hair, winking, holding a pipe, wearing a beige jacket and white shirt, with a brick wall background.

A black-and-white photo of a man sitting on a step outside a wooden building with a dog, a parrot, and a pipe. The man is wearing a plaid jacket and rubber boots, holding the dog's paw. The dog, with shaggy fur, is sitting next to him, and the parrot