*Cristopher Wood // Self-Portrait // 1927*

Christopher Wood

Christopher Wood, who died on this day in 1930, was a talented yet tragic figure in British art who left an indelible mark on the early 20th-century art scene despite his short life. As reported by The Art Story, Wood's brief but impactful career produced a collection of lyrical, enigmatic, and luminous canvases that continue to captivate audiences today.

Early Life & Influences

Born in 1901 in Knowsley, Lancashire, the son of a doctor, Wood's artistic journey began during his convalescence from septicaemia at age fourteen. This period of recovery sparked his interest in drawing, encouraged by his mother, with whom he maintained a close relationship throughout his life.

Initially considering careers in medicine and architecture, Wood's path changed after a brief stint at Liverpool University, where he met influential painter Augustus John. In 1920, Wood moved to Paris, a pivotal decision that immersed him in the vibrant avant-garde art scene. There, he studied at the Académie Julian and formed friendships with luminaries such as Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau, experiences that significantly shaped his artistic development.

*Christophe Wood // TheFisherman's Farewell // 1928*

Artistic Style and Themes

Characterised by a sophisticated primitivism, Wood's artistic style blended childlike simplicity with modernist sensibility, what Gwen Raverat described as ‘fashionable clumsiness’. His works often depicted rural life in Cornwall and Brittany, capturing landscapes with a lyrical and evocative approach. Wood's fascination with maritime themes stemmed from his claimed Cornish ancestry, inspiring his love for the sea and boats.

His paintings from Brittany, created during his final years, are considered his finest, reflecting a deep spirituality and connection to Celtic seafaring traditions. Wood's distinctive style was influenced by Post-Impressionism and Fauvism, featuring bold colours, simplified forms, and a poetic sensibility that set him apart from his contemporaries.

*Christopher Wood // Zebra and Parachute // 1930*

Personal Struggles and Relationships

Despite his artistic success, Wood grappled with emotional instability and addiction, particularly to opium, which he developed during his travels in Europe and North Africa. His personal life was marked by complex relationships, including a lifelong friendship with Chilean diplomat Antonio de Gandarillas, who introduced him to influential figures in the art world.

Wood's bisexuality and tumultuous romantic entanglements, including dalliances with Jeanne Bourgoint and Jean Cocteau, added to the complexity of his personal life. His letters reveal an intense ambition and vulnerability, often expressing a desire to become the "greatest painter that ever lived". These personal struggles and relationships deeply influenced his work, contributing to the emotional depth and intensity found in his paintings.and artists with its critically acclaimed programming.

*Christopher Wood // Anenomes in a Cornish Window // 1930*

Wood was killed on 21 August 1930, when he fell under a train at Salisbury station; he was only 29. While officially reported as an accident out of deference to his mother's wishes, it is widely believed to have been suicide. His already harried mental state was likely aggravated by his struggles with opium addiction.

Despite his tragically short career, Wood's influence on British art was profound. His work challenged conventional academic styles, embracing a directness and honesty that resonated with his contemporaries. Closely associated with the St Ives Group, Wood collaborated with artists like Ben and Winifred Nicholson, sharing their interest in primitivism and simplicity. Although his style was overshadowed by the rise of abstraction in the 1930s, Wood's contribution to modernism in Britain remains significant, paving the way for future generations of artists.

Christopher Wood: A Tragic Genius