Josef Herman OBE, RA (1911-2000)

Born in the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw in 1911, Herman was one of a generation of Eastern European artists who fled persecution to live and work abroad. A highly regarded painter who influenced British contemporary art, working people – miners, grape-pickers, fishermen – were the most frequent subjects of his artistic endeavours.

His art started to be recognised in the 50s and 60s during a number of one man shows in the UK. He was awarded OBE for his services to British Art in 1981 and in 1990 became a Royal Academician.