Maurice Greiffenhagen

Maurice Greiffenhagen was a British painter and illustrator. He was born in London and studied at the Royal Academy Schools. His work includes illustrated books and posters though he is most renowned for his paintings of idyllic landscapes. In 1884, Greiffenhagen began to exhibit at the Royal Academy of Arts and the Society of British Artists. He painted portraits of allegorical figures in late Pre-Raphaelite style, including The Mermaid and The Judgement of Paris. An Idyll, painted by Greiffenhagen in 1891, had a profound effect on author D.H. Lawrence and inspired his novel The White Peacock. Lawrence wrote: ‘As for Greiffenhagen’s ‘Idyll’, it moves me almost as if I were in love myself. Under its intoxication, I have flirted madly this Christmas’.

He created distinctive posters for Pall Mall magazine and London, Midland and Scottish Rail but after 1900 he turned increasingly to portrait painting. In 1916, Greiffenhagen was made an Associate Member of the Royal Academy of Arts and a Royal Academician in 1922. From 1906 to 1926 he taught at the Art School in Glasgow.

Ruth Keating 2014

Ruth Keating 2014