Portrait of Francis Bacon

Derek Stafford

Derek Stafford (1928 - 2018) was a notable British artist and educator. After serving in World War II, where he was part of the allied forces that liberated the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp, he was awarded a three-year Gregory scholarship to study at the Royal College of Art in London.

At the RCA Stafford was tutored by Francis Bacon, though Bacon rarely taught anything instead taking his students on pub crawls around Soho. Stafford and Bacon - both outspoken on their views on art and life became good friends, with Stafford becoming a member of Bacon's circle at the Colony Room private members club where he produced many portraits.

Becoming a lecturer at Bradford College of Art alongside artists such as Frank Johnson, Stafford met and taught David Hockney playing a crucial role in shaping the young artists career. Stafford encouraged  Hockney to carefully observe and paint the world around him, contributing to the development of Hockney's distinctive artistic style. Later Stafford impressed with Hockney's work, submitted it to the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition of 1957. The work was accepted and is credited with providing Hockney the confidence to apply to the Royal College of Art where he was accepted in as a student.

Museums
Beaux Art Gallery, London
Hanover Galleries London
Royal Academy
Betty Parsons Gallery, New York
Saatchi Gallery, London

Exhibited 
The London Group
New English Art Club
Royal Society of Watercolour Artists
Royal British Artists