Early influnces  |  A European artist  |  Modernism, Fry and post-impressionism  |  Success in later years

A European artist

In 1903 Grant had a revelatory experience in which a voice directed him to go out into the world and learn all there is to know about painting. In the development of his painting style Grant can be seen to be looking outside Britain to a wider European artistic tradition. Grant copied paintings by Piero della Francesca and Masaccio while on holiday in Italy with his mother in 1904, and on later visits to Italy in 1907 and 1911 he again made studies of the art he saw. In 1910 he travelled with Maynard Keynes to Greece and Turkey where he was excited by the colour and design of Byzantine mosaics. These Italian and Byzantine influences can be seen in paintings such as The Lemon Gatherers and Dancers. While studying at Jacques Emile Blanche's school 'La Palette' in Paris in 1906, Grant visited the Louvre daily and copied paintings by Chardin, Poussin, Rembrandt and Rubens. As well as the Old Masters he saw work by the Impressionists at the Durand Ruel and Luxembourg galleries.   Duncan Grant, Dancers, circa 1910-11 © Tate, London 2002

Duncan Grant painting in the South of France © Tate Archive, 2003 Listen to Duncan Grant talking about these early influences on his work