This is the first full-scale monograph on John Craxton (1922-2009), a key figure in post-war painting who authorised this publication shortly before his death.

Ian Collins’s engaging text is informed by his many conversations with the artist, who was also a celebrated wit and story-teller, and is supported by more than 200 reproductions of life-affirming paintings and drawings.

The monograph has an introduction by Sir David Attenborough, who was a friend of John Craxton and spoke at his memorial service. Sir David also presented a profile of the artist for BBC2’s The Culture Show, directed by Matthew Thomas, in 2011.

Published by Lund Humphries in 2011, and reprinted in 2013, this book is now out of print. Second-hand copies sell for over £100.