Art News

New Display Explores Influential, but Somewhat Forgotten Socialist Herbert Morrison

LONDON.- A new display at the National Portrait Gallery explores the imagery associated with the influential, but somewhat forgotten socialist Herbert Morrison, grandfather of Peter Mandelson. Perceived by his peers as an archetypal cockney, Morrison played a leading part in the rise of the Labour Party, one of the most significant changes in the political order of the early twentieth century. Chronologically charting Morrison’s career, the display illustrates his progression from a young politician at the London County Council in the 1920s and 30s, to his staunch role as Home Secretary during the Blitz, his modernising influence as a post-war minister and his keen supervision of the Festival of Britain in 1951. This large case display includes a recently acquired caricature of Morrison by Ronald Searle, and a never before exhibited portrait drawing by Henryk Gotlib. These are shown alongside photographs by Yousuf Karsh, H