Leon Underwood (1890–1975) was a British sculptor, painter, and printmaker known for his pioneering contributions to modern art in Britain. Born in London, he studied at the Slade School of Fine Art and later trained in Paris and Italy, absorbing influences from European modernism and classical traditions.
Underwood’s work spans sculpture, painting, and printmaking, often combining figurative strength with expressive abstraction. He was deeply interested in the human form, mythology, and ritual, and his bold, simplified figures reflect both modernist and primitive influences. In addition to his artistic practice, he was an influential teacher, mentoring a generation of British artists, including Henry Moore and Leon Kossoff.
Today, Leon Underwood is regarded as a key figure in British modernism, celebrated for his innovative approach to form, composition, and the expressive potential of the human figure.
