Collection: Edward John Poynter

Edward John Poynter (1836-1919) was an English painter, designer, and draughtsman. He studied at Ipswich School and Brighton College before moving to London.

He served as Director of the National Gallery from 1894 to 1905 and as President of the Royal Academy of Arts from 1896 to 1918. His figurative painting is associated with academic art and neoclassical painting; critics have also linked his work to Pre-Raphaelitism.

Poynter's output included large-scale historical and mythological paintings, as well as designs for various applications. His design for a mosaic in the Kensington Museum, titled Apelles (1864), exemplifies his work in decorative arts. He also created designs such as the Science Certificate (1884). His paintings, such as The Festival (1875), often depicted classical or allegorical subjects.