Peter Snow (1927-2008) Painter & Theatre Designer

Head of Postgraduate theatre design at Slade School of Art

Peter Frederick Briscoe Snow was a British painter, theatre designer, and educator whose creative legacy spans the visual and performing arts. Born in Catford, South London, in 1927, Snow’s life was a vibrant tapestry of artistic exploration, intellectual curiosity, and theatrical innovation. His work continues to resonate in galleries, museums, and auction houses, reflecting a career that was as unconventional as it was influential.

Early Life and Education

Peter Snow was the son of Sir Frederick Snow, a distinguished civil engineer known for projects like the Kingsway Underpass and Heathrow Airport. Educated at Bloxham School in Oxfordshire, Peter showed early promise in painting and stage design. After a brief stint at Goldsmiths College and national service with the Royal Engineers in the Middle East, he won a scholarship to the Slade School of Fine Art, where he studied from 1948 to 1953.

Snow’s formative years at the Slade were pivotal. He studied under Robert Medley and later succeeded him as Head of Theatre Design, a position he held from 1967 to 1992. His tenure shaped generations of theatre designers, including notable figures like Yolanda Sonnabend and Derek Jarman.

Artistic Career and Influences

Snow’s artistic output was deeply influenced by his love of theatre, music, and ritual. His first solo exhibition was held at the Prospect Gallery in 1951, followed by shows at the Beaux Arts Gallery, Piccadilly, and Albemarle Galleries. His paintings often explored themes of urban menace and nocturnal mystery, with a distinctive use of artificial light and bold colour.

He admired Belgian painter James Ensor and was fascinated by ancient rituals, which he studied during a Churchill Fellowship in Mexico. These influences culminated in multimedia productions like Reflections I (1971) and Reflections II (1975), blending Aztec imagery, motorcycling, and theatrical spectacle.

Theatre Design and Collaborations

Snow’s theatre design career began in 1951 with Love’s Labour’s Lost for Rupert Doone. He collaborated with Joan Littlewood on productions like The Dutch Courtesan and The Devil’s Disciple, and designed the British premiere of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot in 1955, directed by Peter Hall.

His circle of collaborators included Craigie Aitchison, Patrick George, Myles Murphy, Paula Rego, and Victor Willing. These relationships enriched his work and placed him at the heart of Britain’s postwar artistic renaissance.

Family Life

In 1963, Snow married Maria Wirth, an Australian colour consultant and interior designer. Their daughter, Selina Snow, followed in her father’s footsteps as a painter. Maria passed away in 2007, and Peter died the following year after battling Alzheimer’s disease.

Legacy and Market Presence

Peter Snow’s work is held in prestigious collections, including the Museum of London, the Theatre Museum, and the National Portrait Gallery, which houses his portraits of Joan Littlewood and Sir Richard Eyre.

Snow’s works are relatively rare on the market.

Peter Snow was a multifaceted artist whose contributions to British art and theatre remain significant. His ability to merge painting with performance, and his dedication to teaching, left an indelible mark on the creative landscape. As interest in postwar British art grows, Snow’s work is poised for renewed appreciation.

Sources: www.artbiogs.co.uk and multiple web-based articles