The Festival of Britain and its Legacy: 75 years of Modern British Art

As Britain emerged from the austerity of the Second World War, the summer of 1951 marked a moment of renewed optimism with the Festival of Britain on London’s South Bank. Conceived as a celebration of the nation’s cultural, technological and social progress, the Festival offered a forward-looking vision and a sense of collective renewal, attracting over 8.5 million visitors.

At its heart was 60 Paintings for ’51, a landmark initiative led by the Arts Council, which commissioned sixty leading British artists to create large-scale works for public display. Today, the majority of these paintings reside in major public collections, underscoring the enduring significance of the project in shaping the trajectory of Modern British art.

Marking the 75th anniversary of this seminal event, Christie’s is pleased to present The Festival of Britain and its Legacy: 75 Years of Modern British Art, a curated selling exhibition tracing the evolution of British art in the decades that followed. Bringing together works produced over the past 75 years; the exhibition reflects the spirit of innovation and creative ambition first embodied in 1951.

On view from 15–24 June in our London galleries, the exhibition coincides with our Post-War and Contemporary auctions and will be presented alongside a special exhibition of works from the Art Council Collection, to celebrate their 80th anniversary.