A Lesson in Art and Life: The Colourful World of Cedric Morris and Arthur Lett-Haines

Cedric Morris and Arthur Lett-Haines were a remarkable couple who were influential in the Modern British art scene, gardening, and cookery. They founded the East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing, attended by Lucian Freud and Maggi Hambling, and Lett was hailed as Britains first Surrealist. Cedric Morris was an award-winning plantsman and poppy and iris breeder.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 06 April 2023
Publisher: Pimpernel Press Ltd

Cedric Morris (1889-1982) and Arthur Lett-Haines (known as Lett) (1894-1978) were an extraordinary couple who played a pivotal role in the Modern British art scene and exerted significant influence in the realms of gardening, cookery, and art. After pursuing their studies in Paris during the 1920s, they relocated to London, where they hosted lavish parties that drew the crème de la crème of creative individuals from across the city. Morris emerged as a highly sought-after painter, specializing in capturing the beauty of flowers, birds, and landscapes. Meanwhile, Lett gained recognition as Britain's first Surrealist artist. Together, they established the East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing at Benton End in Suffolk, where renowned artists such as Lucian Freud and Maggi Hambling attended. The atmosphere at the school was characterized as robust and coarse, yet exquisite and sensitive, simultaneously possessing a faintly dangerous edge. Lett assumed the role of managing the school and showcased her exceptional culinary skills by exchanging recipes with Elizabeth David. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Morris became an award-winning plantsman and poppy and iris breeder. He exerted a profound influence on numerous gardeners, including Beth Chatto. This biography, revised and updated for this paperback edition, presents a captivating portrait of a remarkable couple who left an indelible mark on the fields of gardening, cookery, and art, making them truly unforgettable figures in the history of their respective disciplines.

Weight: 280g
Dimension: 131 x 198 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781914902055