Ardizzone (Diz’)was born in Haiphong in French Indo-China, the family moved to England in 1905. Ardizzone studied at Westminster and Central Schools of Art. He was appointed an official War Artist and drew scenes of war in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France (Normandy landings) and later Germany. He was elected a Royal Academician in 1970, appointed a CBE in 1971 and created a Royal Designer for Industry in 1974. He had his first solo exhibition in 1930 and numerous shows thereafter. The intimate, personal scenes of London, for which he best known, were based around his home in Maida Vale, and often found their beginnings in illustrated personal diaries and letters. He was one of the most distinguished book illustrators working in England in the twentieth century. In addition he designed advertisements, posters and wine labels. He died on 8 November 1979 in Rodmersham Green.

www.edwardardizzone.org.uk