William Rothenstein

William Rothenstein was a British artist and art writer of notable distinction, active from the late 19th century until his death in 1945. His artistic oeuvre encompassed a wide range of subjects, including landscapes, particularly those of France, and depictions of Jewish synagogues in London. Rothenstein's work also extended to portraiture, with over 200 of his portraits of prominent individuals housed in the National Portrait Gallery. Additionally, his artwork is represented in the Tate Gallery's collection, which includes paintings, prints, and drawings.

Beyond his artistic pursuits, Rothenstein was a respected educator and writer. He served as the principal of the Royal College of Art from 1920 to 1935, playing a significant role in shaping the institution during his tenure. Rothenstein's literary contributions include memoirs written in the 1930s, which remain popular to this day. His services to the art world were recognized in 1931, when he was knighted. In recent years, Rothenstein's work has experienced a resurgence in interest, culminating in a major exhibition, 'From Bradford to Benares: the Art of Sir William Rothenstein', which opened in 2015 at the Cartwright Hall Gallery in Bradford and later toured to the Ben Uri in London.