Official War Artist
Richard sold his first wartime paintings to the 'Ministry of Information' on a one by one basis but during 1940 he was appointed an official war artist by the War Artists' Advisory Committee (WAAC). From that point he took a salary from, was commissioned by and delivered the paintings to the Admiralty.
Almost all of these pictures are in public collections, mainly gifted to them by the WAAC towards the end of the war. Even though most were official commissions it is clear that his own particular vision informs these pictures, his pacifism never far away under the surface. He fairly successfully achieved his intention to avoid tipping into pure propaganda and imbuing them with a strong feeling for humanity in times of conflict instead.
The Landing at Dieppe, 19th August 1942 (March 1942)
oil on panel - 121.9h × 175.3w (cm)
The stillness at the centre of this picture is all the more extraordinary for the drama of the columns of smoke, spray and explosions surrounding it. A tremendous example of his homage to Turner.
Survivors from a Torpedoed Ship (1942)
oil on canvas - 35.6h × 61w (cm)
Richard heard of this story and it spoke to his feelings about the suffering of humanity away from the drama and excitement of the theatre of war.
HMS 'Revenge' Leaving Harbour (1942)
oil on canvas - 76.2h × 127w (cm)
The calm after the air-raid comes across in the delicacy of the detail and the transparency of the light. The aftermath of the destruction is a contrast with the dark tones of blackened buildings.
Portland dockyard 19th May 1945 U-Boats 249, 1023 and 776 (1945)
pencil on paper - 29.4h × 40.4w (cm)
Preparations for D-Day (1944)
oil on canvas - 76.2h × 127w (cm)
Mulberry - The Prefabricated Harbour Assembled, Selsey Bill (1944)
oil on canvas - 37.4h × 81.9w (cm)
D-Day, Reconstruction - Beach Landing (1944)
oil on panel - 102h × 228.5w (cm)
Fortresses over Southampton Water (1944)
oil on canvas - 76.2h × 101.9w (cm)
D-Day, Reconstruction - Battleships at Sea (1944)
oil on panel - 102h × 77w (cm)
D-Day, Reconstruction - Bombed Cathedral (1944)
oil on panel - 102h × 77w (cm)
Mulberry Harbour, Selsey Bill (1944)
pencil on paper - 49h × 35.5w (cm)
Midget Submarine Attack on the 'Tirpitz', 22 September 1943 (1944)
oil on mahogany panel - 40.6h × 106.7w (cm)
Bombardment of the coast near Trapani (1943)
oil on canvas - 76.2h × 127w (cm)
The Great Convoy to North Africa, November 1942 (1943)
oil on canvas - 76h × 127w (cm)
The Great Convoy to North Africa (1943)
oil on panel - 36.8h × 127w (cm)
Light Coastal Forces Blow Up An Enemy Merchantman (1943)
oil on canvas - 76h × 101.3w (cm)
A Destroyer Rescuing Survivors (1942)
oil on canvas - 76.2h × 101.9w (cm)
Night Raid on Portsmouth Docks, 1941 (1942)
oil on canvas - 78.7h × 127w (cm)
HMS Resolution, Portsmouth (1942)
pencil on paper - 21.9h × 35.5w (cm)
Portsmouth (1942)
pencil on paper - 26h × 20.3w (cm)
Studies for the Blitz on Portsmouth (1942)
pencil on paper - 9.5h × 14w (cm)
Warship (1942)
pencil on paper - 21.6h × 35.6w (cm)
Arrival of HMS Resolution (1942)
pencil on paper - 21.9h × 35.5w (cm)
HMS Resolution, Portsmouth (1942)
pencil on paper - 20.3h × 35.6w (cm)
Warship (1942)
pencil on paper - 21.6h × 35.6w (cm)
The Raid on the Bruneval Radio Location Station, 27-28 February 1942 (1942)
oil on canvas - 76.2h × 101.9w (cm)
Portsmouth (1942)
pencil on paper - 21.5h × 35.5w (cm)
Portsmouth (1942)
pencil on paper - 21h × 35.5w (cm)
Off Portsmouth (1942)
watercolour on paper - 21h × 35w (cm)
The Docks (1942)
pencil on paper - 21.6h × 35.6w (cm)
Naval Light Forces Going into Action (1942)
oil on canvas - 33h × 76w (cm)
Trawler Against Heinkel (1941)
oil on ? - 63.5h × 76.2w (cm)
Destroyer and Minesweeper (1941)
oil on ? - 35.6h × 60.7w (cm)
A Ship's Boat at Sea (1941)
oil on canvas - 35.6h × 62.2w (cm)
Raid on Vaagso, Norway, 26 - 27 December 1941 (1941)
oil on canvas - 76.2h × 127w (cm)
Portland Bill, 1940 (1941)
oil on canvas laid on board - 31h × 48w (cm)
Dunkirk Beaches, May 1940 (1941)
oil on canvas - 101.8h × 152.5w (cm)
Rescue of the Only Survivor of a Torpedoed Merchant Ship (1941)
oil on canvas - 76.2h × 127w (cm)
Attack on a Convoy Seen from the Air (1941)
oil on canvas - 76h × 101.4w (cm)
A Motor Boat of the British Power Boat Company, Hythe (1941)
oil on canvas - 68.5h × 81.5w (cm)
HMS Resolution Returning to Portsmouth (1941)
oil on ? - 76.2h × 127w (cm)
Night Attack Over Southampton Water (1941)
oil on ? - 33h × 60.7w (cm)
A Destroyer Escort in Attack (1941)
oil on canvas - 50.5h × 101.5w (cm)
The Boats Were Machine-Gunned (1941)
oil on canvas - 76.6h × 101.6w (cm)
The British Power Boat Company (1941)
oil on canvas - 76.2h × 127w (cm)
Whitby (1940)
pencil on paper - 20.3h × 21.9w (cm)
Warship (1940)
pencil on paper - 21.6h × 35.6w (cm)
Robin Hood's Bay in Wartime (1940)
oil on canvas - 63.5h × 76.2w (cm)
Dunkirk Beaches (1940)
oil on cardboard - 22.8h × 45.7w (cm)
Whitby in Wartime (1940)
oil on canvas - 63.5h × 76w (cm)
Dunkirk Beach, 1940 (1940)
oil on board - 28h × 50.8w (cm)
Air Fight over Portland (1940)
oil on canvas - 76.2h × 101.9w (cm)
Withdrawal from Dunkirk, June 1940 (1940)
oil on canvas - 76.2h × 101.6w (cm)
Dunkirk 1940 (c1940)
oil on board - 26.6h × 35.5w (cm)