Girl in High-Backed Chair and Irises 

John Bratby made this painting of a woman, seated in a high-backed chair, surrounded by irises, using oil on canvas. Bratby came to prominence in the 1950s as part of the Kitchen Sink School, a group of British artists who depicted the mundane realities of post-war, working-class life. In this painting, the thick impasto and jarring color palette reflect the anxiety and social alienation of the time. The woman's weary expression and slumped posture suggest emotional exhaustion, a common theme in Bratby's work, perhaps reflecting the tensions within the domestic sphere. The irises, symbols of hope and renewal, offer a contrasting element, but their wilting appearance hints at the fragility of such optimism. To fully understand Bratby's artistic vision, we can examine social histories of post-war Britain, exploring the anxieties, aspirations, and cultural shifts that shaped his perspective. By researching his biography, contemporary art criticism, and the socio-political context of the time, we can gain deeper insights into the meanings embedded within this painting.