Brian Sewell dead: Veteran art critic dies aged 84 after battle with cancer

Brian Sewell died this morning at his London home

VETERAN art critic Brian Sewell has died, his agent confirmed yesterday afternoon.

 

The broadcaster, known for his forthright view on modern art, had been battling with cancer since early last year.

Francine Fletcher, his rep for more than two decades, said: "Very sadly, I can confirm Brian Sewell passed away at his home in London this morning.

 

"I think most people knew he had a very long illness, cancer."

The 84-year-old's acerbic wit and sharp tongue were well known - particularly his criticism of the Turner Prize, which began in 1984.

 

The controversial art critic had been battling with cancer since 2014

 

Brian began his career at Christie's auction house in the 1950s

Brian was a frequent arts commentator in the press and across broadcast media, and worked for the London Evening Standard for more than 30 years.

In the past he had also been described as "Britain's most famous and controversial art critic".

The star said he fell into his profession "by accident", but that art was something "that brings people like me to life", during an interview with the BBC three years ago.

Brian previously revealed it was his mother who had inspired his passion for art, after taking him on frequent trips to the National Gallery as a child.

  

The broadcaster said he considered himself a failure during a 2013 interview

After growing up in London, the writer studied art history at the Courtauld Institute, before beginning his career at Christie's auction house in the 1950s.

Friends with Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud and Salvador Dali, Brian spoke in 2012 about how it all began.

He said: "It was after the Blunt affair - Anthony Blunt - and I had achieved a certain unwanted notoriety and Tina Brown, who was just reviving Tatler, wanted an art critic and thought I might be it."

Brian also described himself as "a failure", also telling the BBC: "I wanted to write the great book on Michelangelo and I never got anywhere near it and now it is too late."