Peter Greenham (1909-1992) was an influential painter of portraits, landscapes and interiors with figures. Educated at Dulwich College, Greenham studied English at Magdalen College, Oxford, and then Fine Art at Byam Shaw (1935-1939).

Greenham is best known for his portraits. While he typically finished his landscapes in one session, his portraits would require an average of ten to twelve sessions of a few hours each. Some were painted over several years. His work was based on direct observation, with pictures built up through a sequence of fresh individual touches of paint. Among his distinguished sitters were HRH Queen Elizabeth II, Lady Bonham Carter and Sir Isaiah Berlin.

Greenham had strong links to the Royal Academy. He first exhibited there in 1934 and regularly from 1941, exhibiting every year between 1962-1992, and in 1964 succeeded Sir Henry Rushbury as Keeper of the RA Schools, retiring in 1985. Many well-known artists, including Martin Yeoman, Peter Kuhfeld and Jane Corsellis were taught by him.

In 1960, Greenham was elected a Royal Academician. He was also a member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and the New English Art Club. Greenham’s work was shown widely, including several solo exhibitions at the New Grafton Gallery. His work is held by major collections including Tate and the Royal Academy of Arts.