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The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse
The Lady of Shalott (from the poem by Tennyson) by John William Waterhouse
Derwent Valley, Derbyshire by Joseph Wright of Derby
Whistlejacket by George Stubbs
Beer Street and Gin Lane by William Hogarth
Beer Street by William Hogarth
A Converted British Family Sheltering a Christian Missionary from the Persecution of the Druids by William Holman Hunt
The Awakening Conscience by William Holman Hunt
Coming from the Mill by L.S. Lowry
Horse Devoured by a Lion by George Stubbs
Two Piece Reclining Figure No. 3 by Henry Moore
The Climax (illustration) by Aubrey Beardsley

British Artists

168 artists

🇬🇧 Back to Discover

British art is notable for its diverse contributions to Western art history, from the historical illustrations that shaped national identity to the avant-garde movements of the 20th century. The Arts and Crafts movement, spearheaded by William Morris, championed a return to traditional craftsmanship and influenced design internationally. Later, movements like Vorticism and Pop Art demonstrated a willingness to engage with modernity, while artists such as Bridget Riley made significant contributions to Op Art. British artists continue to shape contemporary art, with figures like Banksy pushing boundaries and challenging conventions.

Key Movements

12 movements shaped british art.

Contemporary 1970–present (15)Romanticism 1780–1850 (12)Realism 1840–1880 (12)Symbolism 1880–1910 (11)Modernism 1860–1970 (7)Pop Art 1955–1970 (5)Arts and Crafts 1880–1920 (5)Impressionism 1860–1890 (5)Pre-Raphaelite 1848–1900 (5)

Key Artists

David Hockney

David Hockney

1937–present · British

Beatrix Potter

Beatrix Potter

1866–1943 · British

Jack Vettriano

Jack Vettriano

1951–2025 · British

Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

1965–present · British

William Morris

William Morris

1834–1896 · British

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

1868–1928 · British

Andy Goldsworthy

Andy Goldsworthy

1956–present · British

John Constable

John Constable

1776–1837 · British

Key Ideas

  • The Arts and Crafts Movement

    Led by William Morris in the late 19th century, this movement rejected industrial production in favour of handcrafted design. It promoted the idea of the artist as a craftsman and sought to integrate art into everyday life.

  • Vorticism

    Emerging in the early 20th century, Vorticism was a British avant-garde movement influenced by Cubism and Futurism. It was characterised by its abstract, geometric forms and its focus on the dynamism of modern life; Edward Wadsworth was a key figure.

  • Pop Art

    British Pop Art, arising in the 1950s, engaged with popular culture and mass media. Artists like Eduardo Paolozzi incorporated imagery from advertising and consumer products into their work, critiquing and celebrating the visual language of the modern world.

  • Op Art

    Originating in the 1960s, Op Art explores optical illusions and visual perception. Bridget Riley is a prominent British artist associated with this movement, creating abstract works that play with the viewer's eye.

Museums in United Kingdom

255 museums.

London (54)

Oxford (11)

Glasgow (6)

Edinburgh (8)

Cambridge (6)

Manchester (5)

Liverpool (5)

Cardiff (5)

Birmingham (4)

Leeds (4)

Aberystwyth (5)

Swindon (2)

Salford (4)

Newcastle upon Tyne (2)

Bristol (2)

Nottingham (2)

Bradford (2)

Dundee (2)

Newport (2)

Southport (2)

Norwich (2)

Southampton (2)

Kew (3)

Bath (2)

Aberdeen (1)

York (2)

Brighton and Hove (1)

Leicester (1)

Coventry (2)

Belfast (1)

Port Sunlight (1)

Preston (1)

Huddersfield (1)

Northampton (1)

Colchester (1)

Wakefield (1)

Paisley (1)

Truro (1)

Weston-under-Lizard (1)

Kendal (1)

Halifax (1)

Kingston upon Hull (1)

Greenock (1)

Plymouth (1)

Lincoln (1)

Blackburn (1)

Bolton (1)

Sheffield (1)

Birkenhead (1)

Wycombe (1)

Barnsley (1)

Caernarfon (2)

Southend-on-Sea (1)

Ratley and Upton (1)

Oldham (1)

Swansea (1)

Maidstone (1)

Harrogate (1)

Egham (1)

Wing (1)

Chichester (1)

Portsmouth (1)

Hartlepool (1)

Stratford-upon-Avon (1)

Croydon (1)

Durham (1)

Dumfries (1)

Blackpool (1)

Twickenham (1)

Scarborough (1)

Stirling (1)

Lauder (1)

Richmond (1)

Glenfields (1)

Eton (1)

Sudbury (1)

Kirkcaldy (1)

Bournemouth (1)

Kilmarnock (1)

Carlisle (1)

Rochdale (1)

Waddesdon (1)

Wolverhampton (1)

Beverley (1)

Falmouth (1)

Hartwell (1)

Hereford (1)

Kelmscott (1)

Aberford (1)

Stromness (1)

Rugby (1)

Gateshead (1)

Stow-on-the-Wold (1)

Penryn (1)

Compton (1)

Aberdare (1)

Duxford (1)

Mold (1)

Bangor (1)

Bexhill-on-Sea (1)

Barnard Castle (1)

Coniston (1)

Carmarthen (1)

Chesterfield (1)

Merthyr Tydfil (1)

Ditchling (1)

Downe (1)

Yeovilton (1)

Dumfries and Galloway (1)

Grimsthorpe (1)

Perry Green (1)

Kingston upon Thames (1)

Ayr (1)

Machynlleth (1)

Gloucester (1)

Perth (1)

Lancaster (1)

Stoke-on-Trent (1)

Reading (1)

Henley-on-Thames (1)

Cookham (1)

Sunderland (1)

Tabley Inferior (1)

Walsall (1)

Bovington (1)

Burnley (1)

Eastbourne (1)

Hatfield (1)

Welshpool (1)

Wilton (1)

Devizes (1)

Hartlebury (1)

Worthing (1)

West Bretton (1)

All British Artists

168 artists.

Showing the first 80 of 168 artists, alphabetically.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is Britain's greatest contribution to art?
    Britain made a significant contribution to historical illustration, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. These illustrations, disseminated through books and prints, played a crucial role in shaping perceptions and interpretations of British history, fostering a sense of national identity.
  • Who are the most important British artists to know?
    William Morris is essential for his role in the Arts and Crafts movement, influencing design and craftsmanship. L.S. Lowry captured industrial life in northern England, while Bridget Riley made major contributions to Op Art. Banksy is a more contemporary figure known for his street art.
  • Which British artist is underappreciated?
    Charles Francis Annesley Voysey, an architect and designer associated with the Arts and Crafts movement, is perhaps underappreciated. His designs encompassed furniture, wallpaper, and textiles, reflecting the movement's emphasis on integrating art into everyday life.
  • When did Britain develop a distinctive national style?
    While artistic styles evolved throughout British history, the Arts and Crafts movement in the late 19th century (roughly 1880-1910) marked a significant moment. It represented a conscious effort to revive traditional crafts and reject industrialisation, resulting in a style that was both modern and rooted in British heritage.

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