Terry Frost Paintings

Terry Frost, Green Movement, 1953, oil on board, 29.5 x 48 in., Bonhams, England

Terry Frost, Green, Black and White Movement, 1951, oil on canvas, 43 x 33.5 in., Tate Collection

Terry Frost, Pink Quay, 1956, oil on board, 91.5 x 41 in., National Galleries of Scotland

Terry Frost, Black and White Movement on Blue and Green II, 1951, 44 x 34 in., National Galleries of Scotland

Terry Frost, Red And Blue Harbour, 1954-1955, 24 x 30 in., Christie's, London (sold for $25,379 in 2003)

Terry Frost, Blue and Green, 1952, oil on canvas, 20 x 30 in, Jonathan Clark & Co., London

Terry Frost, Red, Blue and Black, 1965, 18 x 14 in., Bonhams, England (sold for £14,400 in 2006)

Terry Frost, Red, Black & White, Winter, 1956, oil on board, 48 x 37.5 in., Richard Green, London

Terry Frost, Blue Harbour, 1953, 26 x 42 in., Sotheby's, London (sold for £121,250 in 2010)

Terry Frost, Walking Down the Quay St Ives, 1954, Peter Scott Gallery, Lancaster University

Terry Frost, Madrigal, 1949, oil on canvas, 28 x 35.75 in., Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, England. This is recorded as Terry's first successful abstract painting, based on the poem Madrigal by W. H. Auden.

Terry Frost in his studio, circa 1960's.  Photo: Gilbert Adams

Sir Terry Frost, RA. Photo: Andrew Dunkley

While Terry Frost is well known for his brightly colored abstracts, I tend to like his subdued-color painterly pieces the best.  Above is a selection of some of my favorites.

Terrance Ernest Manitou Frost (1915-2003) was born in Leamington Spa, England on October 13, 1915.  While serving as a British Army Commando during WWII, he was captured and held as a POW from 1941-1945. During his imprisonment, he was encouraged to begin painting by Adrian Heath, an artist and fellow prisoner. With no art supplies, he had to make due with what was available; he used oil from cans of sardines to make paint, horse hair to make brushes and a pillowcase suited as a canvas. After the war he pursued his newfound passion for art and attended Camberwall School of Arts and Crafts where he studied under Victor Pasmore from 1947-1950.  Following Victor's encouragement to pursue abstract art, Terry painted Madrigal in 1949 (see painting above).  Many of Terry's pieces were inspired by scenes from his walks along the quay in St Ives where he had lived; The semi-circle motif so often seen in his works, is a representation of the many boats seen during these walks. He taught at various academies and universities from 1952 till the 1980's. He was Knighted in 1998, hence the name "Sir" Terry Frost.  He passed away on September 1, 2003.  

If you would like more info on Sir Terry Frost. Click here and here.