Ruskin Spear

(1911–1990)
Ruskin Spear is regarded as one of the foremost British painters to capture quintessentially British subjects and way of life. From pubs, sports, and street scenes to powerful portraits of both the famous and the everyday, his work balanced affection with sharp social observation. Recurring characters often appeared in his street and pub scenes, creating a living chronicle of working life. Spear’s paintings are celebrated for their humour, humanity, and unflinching record of mid-20th-century Britain.