Leon Kossoff was a British painter, renowned for his thickly textured, expressive cityscapes and portraits that vividly captured the dynamic and often gritty essence of urban life in London.
Born in Islington, London, to Russian Jewish immigrants, Kossoff was part of the post-war School of London group of painters, which included artists like Frank Auerbach and Lucian Freud, who focused on figurative art in a period dominated by abstract and conceptual art.
Master of Expressive Impasto
Kossoff's work is notable for its intense physicality and depth, achieved through a rigorous process of applying and then scraping off paint, building up layers over time. This technique resulted in richly textured surfaces that seem to pulse with the life and vibrancy of his subjects, which often included scenes of London's streets, railway stations, and everyday people. His style reflects a visceral response to the physical world, with a focus on the emotional resonance of place and person.
A Lifelong Chronicle of London’s Changing Face
Throughout his career, Kossoff remained deeply engaged with the city of London, capturing its constant transformation and the human spirit within its environs. His works serve as a visual history of the city, from the rebuilding post-World War II to the modern-day hustle of the metropolis. Despite the heaviness of his impasto and often sombre palette, there is a profound vitality and affection in his depictions of urban life.
Leon Kossoff’s paintings are held in major public and private collections worldwide, including the Tate Gallery, the National Gallery in London, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. His dedication to exploring the potential of paint to express deep human feeling and his distinct portrayal of London’s architecture and its inhabitants have left a lasting impact on the art world.