Explore: Bernard Hailstone

(1910 - 1987)

Bernard Hailstone was born in Hadlow, Kent, and lived in the Kentish village all his life. He was educated at Tonbridge School and Goldsmith’s College of Art in London. He also attended the Royal Academy Schools. Between1940 and 1941 he became an official war artist to the Ministry of Transport recording life on board naval convoys in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. After the war Hailstone turned his attention to portraits and became known for his portraits of royalty, members of the Armed Services, musicians and actors. He created memorable portraits of Sir Winston Churchill and Peter Ustinov, while his portrait of Lord Olivier hangs in the bar of the Garrick Club.