10 Facts About Patrick Caulfield

Photomural depicting a European town on a hill displayed in a restaurant, featuring a fish tank, unoccupied table and chairs, and a solitary waiter leaning in an alcove, all superimposed against an abstracted blue backdrop.Image © Tate / After Lunch © The Estate of Patrick Caulfield 1975
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Patrick Caulfield, CBE, RA was a celebrated English painter known for his unique artistic style that both embraced formalism and visually transcended the boundaries of traditional teachings. Although often associated with Pop Art, Caulfield offered a distinct perspective, encouraging viewers to contemplate the fundamental aspects of line, shape and colour, and their influence on our perception of the world.

Below our ten lesser-known facts about Caulfield that you may not know:

1.

Patrick Caulfield had a significant impact on the development of 20th century art. practice

Caulfield was a British artist born in West London, 1936. He was a celebrated painter and printmaker who passed in 2005.

2.

Patrick Caulfield was educated alongside other iconic British artists.

Caulfield studied at the Chelsea School of Art from 1956 to 1960 and the Royal College of Art from 1960 to 1963, where his studied alongside British Masters, David Hockney and Allen Jones.

3.

Patrick Caulfield made an early mark in the art world through his inclusion in a notable exhibition alongside influential artists such as Bridget Riley, John Hoyland, and Brett Whiteley.

From March through May 1964, Whitechapel Gallery hosted ”The New Generation’’ exhibition. The well-chosen title proved to be nothing short of auspicious, as nearly every artist showcased in the event went on to achieve international acclaim and success, including infamous OpArt Artist, Bridget Riley.

Get in touch to inquire about Bridget Riley prints.

4.

Although Patrick Caulfield was often associated with the Pop Art movement, he notably resisted being categorised under this label.

Rather than embracing the label of a Pop Artist, Patrick Caulfield identified himself as a formal artist, prioritising traditional practices and principles. While traces of pop art influences can be observed in his work, Caulfield did not completely align with the movement's emphasis on mass consumerism.

A catalogue of the exhibition poster for ‘The Artist’s Eye’ curated by the artist Patrick Caulfield and held at the National Gallery, London.Image © National Gallery London / Catalogue of the exhibition “The Artist’s Eye” by Patrick Caulfield 1987
5.

Patrick Caulfield's work is characterised by reductive compositions that embrace bold black outlines and flat colours.

Caulfield painted objects from modern domestic reality with sarcastic undertones, humour and a sense of wonder as the objects and interiors he featured isolate the object and lack human presence. His art often has a distinct sense of flatness, which further emphasises abstraction and two-dimensionality.

6.

Patrick Caulfield was nominated for the esteemed Turner Prize in 1987.

Caulfield received this nomination for his solo show, The Artist's Eye held at The National Gallery London, which attracted 74,000+ visitors. This esteemed exhibition featured his most prized works providing visitor's with special insight into the artists intellectual practice.

Although the final outcome of the winner was unexpected, Caulfield lost to British abstract sculptor, Richard Deacon.

7.

Patrick Caulfield paintings often depict unknown places and melancholic interiors, which suggest a pause in time or sense of solitude.

Caulfield's artistic genius resides in his skillful creation of enigmatic images that evoke a sense of ambiguity through their simple yet captivating representation. As a formal artist, he employs a deliberate approach, utilising lines, shapes, and colors to distill images to their fundamental essence. By intentionally omitting human presence and depicting vacant interiors, coupled with his technical mastery, Caulfield invites viewers to engage in contemplation and introspection, encouraging their own interpretations and responses to his art.

A pop art inspired painted portrait of Juan Gris by the artist Patrick Caulfield, which depicts the artist Juan Gris in blue against a yellow background, surrounded by geometric shapes.Image © artmastered/ Portrait of Juan Gris © Patrick Caulfield 1963
8.

Throughout his career, Patrick Caulfield produced 113 screenprints that were highly appreciated and in demand.

Boasting and impressive exhibition history, Caulfield’s artwork was the subject of many major museum retrospectives and features throughout his lifetime. In 2006, his prints were the subject of a survey held at Tate Liverpool and following that, Tate Britain acquired his entire printed output, 113 prints made between 1964 and 1999, and presented them together in a major retrospective.

9.

Patrick Caulfield received many accolades during his lifetime.

In addition to his noteworthy achievements, Caulfield received esteemed recognition through various other avenues. His outstanding contributions to the arts led to his appointment as a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 1996, acknowledging his significant impact on the cultural landscape. Furthermore, Caulfield's artistic excellence was acknowledged by his election as a Royal Academician in 1993, a distinguished title bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to the arts.

10.

In 2013, the Tate Britain held a retrospective exhibition of his work.

This retrospective cemented his legacy as one of the foremost artists of the post-war generation, and one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

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