Edward John Burra (1905 – 1976) was an English painter, draughtsman, and printmaker, best known for his depictions of the urban underworld, black culture and the Harlem scene of the 1930s.
Burra took art classes with a Miss Bradley in Rye in 1921, then studied at Chelsea School of Art until 1923, and from 1923 to 1925 at the Royal College of Art.
He was a member of Unit One in 1933 and showed with the English Surrealists later in the 1930s.
Burra travelled widely, and many influences are at play in his works, which were usually watercolour on a large scale in strong colours.
During World War Two, when it became impossible to travel, he also became involved in designing scenery and costumes for ballet, opera and theatre and became very successful in that field.
Source https://www.tate.org.uk/
