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.
HMS Resolution Returning to Portsmouth (1941)
oil on ? - 76.2h x 127w (cm)
Night Attack Over Southampton Water (1941)
oil on ? - 33h x 60.7w (cm)
A Destroyer Escort in Attack (1941)
oil on canvas - 50.5h x 101.5w (cm)
The Boats Were Machine-Gunned (1941)
oil on canvas - 76.6h x 101.6w (cm)
The British Power Boat Company (1941)
oil on canvas - 76.2h x 127w (cm)
Whitby (1940)
pencil on paper - 20.3h x 21.9w (cm)
Warship (1940)
pencil on paper - 21.6h x 35.6w (cm)
Robin Hood's Bay in Wartime (1940)
oil on canvas - 63.5h x 76.2w (cm)
Dunkirk Beaches (1940)
oil on cardboard - 22.8h x 45.7w (cm)
Whitby in Wartime (1940)
oil on canvas - 63.5h x 76w (cm)
Dunkirk Beach, 1940 (1940)
oil on board - 28h x 50.8w (cm)
Air Fight over Portland (1940)
oil on canvas - 76.2h x 101.9w (cm)
Withdrawal from Dunkirk, June 1940 (1940)
oil on canvas - 76.2h x 101.6w (cm)
Dunkirk 1940 (c1940)
oil on board - 26.6h x 35.5w (cm)