Richard Beer (1928-2017)

Born in London in 1928, just too late to serve in World War II, he studied between 1945-1950 at the Slade School. Subsequently, a French Government scholarship allowed him to spend time in Paris at Atelier 17, working under Stanley William Hayter (1901-1988), one of the most significant print makers of the 20th Century – having spent the War in New York, advising as a camofleur, Hayter only returned to Paris in 1950. Subsequently Beer studied at the École des Beaux Arts, Paris.

Working for John Cranko, choreographer for the Royal Ballet Beer, Beer designed the sets and costumes for his The Lady and the Fool at Covent Garden, subsequently working for him following his move in 1961 to Stuttgart Ballet. Additionally he produced book illustrations and designed book jackets.

He taught print-making at the Chelsea School of Art. Probably his greatest work was a collaboration with John Betjeman to produce a portfolio of prints of ten Wren Churches in the City for Editions Alecto, copies of which are in The Government Art Collection. The collection contains a total of 54 prints by Beer, and the Tate Gallery seven. Other works for Editions Alecto include prints of Oxford Colleges, and architectural views in Southern Europe.

Most of his prints are of architectural subjects, exploring the use of colour in interesting fashion.