Brenda Bury Explained

Brenda Bury (born 1932)^[1] is an English professional portrait artist based in Toronto.^{[2] [3]} She has painted members of the British Royal Family, the aristocracy, and politicians in the British and Canadian governments.^{[4] [5]} She has painted Queen Elizabeth II, Margaret Thatcher and John Diefenbaker.^[6] Her portrait of Kenneth Tynan is in the National Portrait Gallery, London.^[7] Bury is married to John Polanyi.^[5]

Early life and education

Bury was born in Brierley near Barnsley, England in 1932.^[8] When she was seven years old she won a National Savings painting competition and, at 12, won a youth club painting competition.^[2] She later studied Fine Art at the University of Reading with Antony Betts where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts. As a student, she was given brushes originally owned by James McNeill Whistler by a Reading University Professor.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Brenda Bury . MutualArt . 11 August 2021 . en.
2. Web site: Brierley Village web site - Old newspaper cuttings from Brierley and the surrounding area - She paints her way to the Royal Academy - Brenda Bury - - Local newspaper April 30 1956. brierleyvillage.co.uk. 2017-01-03.
3. Web site: ULAN Full Record Display (Getty Research). www.getty.edu. 2016-12-30.
4. Web site: Art Collection Trent University Library. www.trentu.ca. 2016-12-30.
5. Web site: Brenda Bury's biography. www.brendabury.com. 2016-12-30.
6. News: Picture perfect: Why you should gift your loved one with a society portrait. The Globe and Mail. 2016-12-30.
7. Web site: Kenneth Peacock Tynan - National Portrait Gallery. 2016-12-30.
8. A Dictionary of Canadian Artists, volumes 1-8 by Colin S. MacDonald, and volume 9 (online only), by Anne Newlands and Judith Parker National Gallery of Canada / Musée des beaux-arts du Canada