Theodore Major (1908 – 1999), one of the best British painters of storms, was a fervent Lancastrian, who claimed to be against materialism and the commercial gallery system. The reality is that during his lifetime his dark, expressionist style – mainly depicting Wigan – fell out of favour. Only since his death has his reputation recovered and he is regarded as the most important “Northern School” painter after L S Lowry. Art critic John Berger called Major’s pictures “among the best English paintings of our time” He painted in a wide range of styles “to disturb and extend consciousness in the mind of the viewer”. He was president of the Wigan Art Club which he founded in 1952.
He exhibited in Nottingham, Bolton, Manchester and had Arts Council sponsored solo exhibitions at Carlisle and Blackburn Art Galleries and in 1984 at Salford Art Gallery.
Picture: courtesy Gateway Gallery, Prestbury Road, Macclesfield.