In the mid-20th century, Kenneth Clark, an art critic and TV broadcaster, played an important role in drawing Great Britain’s attention to art history. Thanks to his sincere devotion to the artistic part of our lives, he managed to raise the country’s cultural media space to a new level. Learn more at londonski.
Early years and professional career of Kenneth Clark
Kenneth Clark was born in London on July 13, 1903. As the only child in a wealthy family, he was educated at Winchester College and Trinity College. Kenneth quickly abandoned hopes of becoming a successful artist and focused on art history. In 1925, he met Bernard Berenson, who was considered the best art critic of his time. Thus, Kenneth began studying under his guidance in Florence.
Having worked with his teacher for over two years, Kenneth Clark published his first book, The Gothic Revival, in 1928. As a result, he was asked to catalogue the rich collection of Leonardo da Vinci manuscripts at Windsor Castle. Subsequently, the artist co-organised the famous exhibition of unique Italian paintings at the Royal Academy. In 1931, he became Keeper of the Fine Art Department at the Ashmolean Museum.
Thanks to the acquired managerial experience, Kenneth Clark became head of the National Gallery in 1934. Soon, he refused the proposal to become Surveyor of the King’s Pictures made by George V’s officials. Continuing his research, the artist published another work, Leonardo da Vinci: An Account of his development as an Artist, in 1939.
After the evacuation of the national collection during the Second World War, Kenneth Clark rose to the position of controller of home publicity at the Ministry of Information. To concentrate on teaching and writing, he resigned from the National Gallery in London. Bringing his art to a wider audience, the artist became chairman of the Arts Council of Great Britain in 1953. Determined to exploit the potential of the media, he also headed the Independent Television Authority in 1954.
Having established himself as a connoisseur of art, Kenneth Clark became one of the greatest TV lecturers of the time. In 1959, his success was reflected in the newly created programme Five Revolutionary Painters. It allowed Kenneth to vividly demonstrate his artistic competence to a wide audience. In 1969, he became world famous thanks to the new series Civilisation on the BBC. There, the TV presenter gave weekly lectures on art, architecture, literature and history. Kenneth reached the peak of his media career and shaped cultural television.
In his later years, Kenneth Clark cared for his alcoholic wife, artist Elizabeth Winifred Martin, known as Jan”, who died in 1976. He soon remarried to the fashion designer Nolwen de Janze-Rice, but started to suffer from depression. The artist passed away in a nursing home in Kent on 21 May 1983.
Winchester College
Recognition and significance of Kenneth Clark’s public work
As a professional TV broadcaster, Kenneth Clark contributed to the education of the British population on artistic topics through such programmes as Landscape into Art, Rembrandt and Great Temples of the World. He also presented his artistic competence in over 30 books, including Florentine Painting, Fifteenth Century, Rembrandt and the Italian Renaissance, The Art of Humanism and many more. For his work, the artist was honoured with the title of Fellow of the British Academy, Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour, Member of the Order of Merit and other awards.
Alamy