Sir Cedric Morris
Painter, plantsman and pioneering educator, Sir Cedric Morris was one of the most distinctive voices in twentieth-century British art. Celebrated for his vivid floral still lifes, expressive landscapes and unconventional approach to colour, Morris devoted his life to the intertwined worlds of art and nature.
Biography
Born in Swansea, Wales, in 1889, Sir Cedric Morris became a leading figure in Modern British painting, recognised for his powerful use of colour and his ability to transform ordinary subjects into striking compositions.
His artistic development took him through the creative communities of Cornwall, London and Paris. These experiences contributed to his distinctive approach to painting, combining direct observation with expressive colour, confident outlines and simplified form.
Throughout his career, Morris painted portraits, landscapes, birds and botanical subjects. His flower paintings are particularly celebrated, capturing the individual character of plants with extraordinary intensity and an instinctive understanding of colour.
Together with his lifelong partner, the artist Arthur Lett-Haines, Morris founded the East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing in 1937. The school later moved to Benton End in Suffolk, where it became an influential centre for artistic experimentation.
Morris died in 1982, leaving a legacy extending beyond painting into art education and horticulture. His contribution to British art continues to be recognised through exhibitions, scholarship and the restoration of Benton End.
Available Works
Benton End
In 1939, Morris and Arthur Lett-Haines established their art school at Benton End, a historic house near Hadleigh in Suffolk. It became an extraordinary creative environment where artists lived, worked and learned together.
Unlike conventional art institutions, Benton End encouraged individuality, experimentation and artistic freedom. Among its students were Lucian Freud, Maggi Hambling and Glyn Morgan.
The gardens surrounding Benton End were equally significant. Morris cultivated an extensive collection of plants, becoming particularly renowned for breeding irises. His horticultural expertise and artistic practice continually informed one another.
Today, Benton End remains an important part of his legacy, representing the meeting of artistic education, botanical knowledge and an unconventional creative life.
Career Highlights
- 1889 — Born in Swansea, Wales.
- 1937 — Founded the East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing with Arthur Lett-Haines.
- 1939 — The school relocated to Benton End in Hadleigh, Suffolk.
- 1940s–1970s — Developed his reputation as both a painter and an influential iris breeder.
- 1947 — Inherited the family baronetcy, becoming Sir Cedric Morris.
- 1984 — A major retrospective exhibition was held at Tate Gallery, London, following his death.
- 2018 — Exhibitions at the Garden Museum and Philip Mould & Company renewed attention to his work and legacy.
Museums & Legacy
At Indelible
Sir Cedric Morris holds an important position within the history of twentieth-century British art. His distinctive approach to painting, combined with his influence as an educator and plantsman, makes his work particularly compelling to collectors of Modern British art.
Indelible Fine Art currently presents Untitled, an original oil on canvas measuring 66 × 92 cm, offered framed at £30,000.
For information about this artwork, including provenance, condition, delivery and private viewings, please contact Indelible Fine Art.