Kenneth Clark

Kenneth McKenzie Clark, Baron Clark of Saltwood (also, Sir Kenneth Clark) (July 13 1903 – May 21 1983) was a British author, museum director, broadcaster, and the most famous art historian of his generation.

Related Topics:
July 13 - 1903 - May 21 - 1983 - British - Art historian

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Clark was born in London, the only child of Kenneth MacKenzie Clark and Margaret Alice, a wealthy Scottish family with roots in the textile trade (the "Clark" in Coats & Clark threading). Kenneth Clark the elder was reputed to be the legendary "Man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo."

Related Topics:
London - Scottish

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He was educated at Winchester College and Trinity College, Oxford, where he studied the history of art. In 1927 he married a fellow Oxford student, Elizabeth Jane Martin. The couple had three children: Alan, in 1928, and twins Colette (known as Celly) and Colin in 1932.

Related Topics:
Winchester College - Trinity College, Oxford - 1927 - Oxford - Alan - 1928 - 1932

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An admirer of Ruskin and a protégé of the most influencial art critic of the time, Bernard Berenson, Clark quickly became the British art establishment's most respected æsthetician. After a stint as fine arts curator at Oxford's Ashmolean Museum, Clark was appointed, in 1933, director of the National Gallery, at age 31 the youngest person ever to hold the post. The following year he also became Surveyor of the King's Pictures, a post he held until 1945. He was a controversial figure however, in part due to his distaste for much of modern art. Nevertheless, he was an influential supporter of modern sculptor Henry Moore and, as Chairman of the War Artists committee, ensured that Moore found work. In 1946 he resigned his directorship in order to devote more time to writing. Between 1946 and 1950 he was Slade Professor of Fine Art at Oxford. He also served as Chairman of the Arts Council of Great Britain and had a major role in the art program of the Festival of Britain.

Related Topics:
Ruskin - Bernard Berenson - æsthetician - Ashmolean Museum - National Gallery - Surveyor of the King's Pictures - 1945 - Modern art - Henry Moore - 1946 - 1950 - Slade Professor of Fine Art - Oxford - Festival of Britain

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He was created Knight Commander of the Bath in 1938, was knighted in 1953, and made a Companion of Honour in 1959. In 1955 he purchased Saltwood Castle in Kent.

Related Topics:
Knight Commander of the Bath - 1938 - 1953 - Companion of Honour - 1959 - 1955 - Saltwood Castle - Kent

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An indefatigable lecturer in both academic and broadcast settings, Kenneth Clark's stated goal was to make art more accessible to the masses. He was one of the founders, in 1954, of the Independent Television Authority, serving as its governor until 1957, when he moved to ITA's rival BBC. In 1966 he wrote and produced Civilisation for BBC television, a series on the history of Western civilisation as seen through its art. When it was broadcast in 1969, Civilization was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, catapulting Clark to international fame.

Related Topics:
Independent Television Authority - BBC - 1966 - Civilisation - 1969

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He was Chancellor of the University of York from 1967-78 and a trustee of the British Museum. Clark was awarded a life barony in 1969, taking the title Lord Clark of Saltwood (Private Eye nicknamed him Lord Clark of Civilization). He also received the Order of Merit in 1976.

Related Topics:
Chancellor - University of York - 1967 - 78 - British Museum - Barony - 1969 - Private Eye - Order of Merit - 1976

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Jane died in 1976 and the following year Clark married Nolwen de Janzé-Rice, former wife of Edward Rice and daughter of the Count of Janzé, both wealthy landowners. Kenneth Clark died in Hythe after a short illness in 1983.

Related Topics:
1976 - Hythe - 1983

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His elder son, Alan Clark, became a prominent Conservative MP.

Related Topics:
Alan Clark - Conservative - MP

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