Edward Burra (1905–1976). British artist, printmaker and theatre designer

Edward Burra studied at Chelsea School of Art and the Royal College of Art, and is best known for his semi-surreal, humorous, yet astutely observed scenes from contemporary life. A friend of Frederick Ashton and William Chappell, as well as other well-known figures on the British ballet scene, Burra designed the sets and costumes for several stage productions, including Ashton’s Rio Grande and Don Juan, Ninette de Valois’ Barabau and Don Quixote, and Robert Helpmann’s Miracle in the Gorbals, all for Sadler’s Wells Ballet, and David Paltenghi’s Canterbury Prologue for Ballet Rambert. Many of Burra’s stage designs are now in the Theatre and Performance Collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.