John Langton, who has died aged 92, was at home in the English art world.
He made art, talked about art, and wrote about art for magazines and newspapers, including the Guardian. He received public commissions from the Universities of Durham, Sussex and York. Yet his chief success stemmed from his fascination with Germany – its history, people and culture.
Sweet pea contrejour, 2009, by John Langton
From 1971 he took part in 17 shows in West Germany, 12 of which were solo exhibitions. Unexpected in this robust career was the tenderness and handling of light in his flower paintings, produced in 2009, after a period of illness. They formed a sell-out show at Spelman’s, the famous bookshop in York.
John was born and lived for most of his life in York. His father, Albert Langton, was a railway engineer and city councillor, his mother, Annie (nee Cuthbert), a housewife. He was educated at Nunthorpe grammar school and by his father, who encouraged his son’s interest in reading and politics.
Aged 16, he entered York School of Art, and when its headteacher Dudley Holland left to become director of Guildford School of Art, John followed him. There he met David Lloyd Jones, who became an outstanding ceramicist and collaborated with John on commissions, including some for the newly established University of York in 1963. In time they formed half of the group of artists known as “the York Four”, the other two being Russell Platt and Reg Williams.
When John undertook national service with the Green Howards, part of his time was spent in Germany. Meanwhile, his father, as chair of the York education committee, had recognised that York’s Art Gallery needed a full-time curator, and boldly gave the job to Hans Hess, a German Jewish refugee and a Marxist who was familiar with modernist European art. Hess became John’s chief mentor and introduced him to a cultural milieu of internationally renowned artists, intellectuals and musicians.
After John left the army, he returned to York, undertook teacher training at St John’s College of Ripon and York and met Patricia Lee. They married in 1960, and eventually settled in a house in Fulford with an old coachhouse in the garden that was transformed into a large studio.
Hess encouraged John’s European outlook. His interest in Germany now brought him introductions to dealers and collectors in whose country, at this time, the acquisition of contemporary art could be offset against tax. The demand for John’s work enabled him to give up teaching.
He began painting abstracts in the early 1960s but took note also of pop art. Figurative images and narrative interest took over, but in the 80s he caught the various moods evoked by parks, gardens and topiary, deftly playing on the mysterious correspondences between nature and the imagination.
York University gifted John an honorary doctorate in 1995, and is planning a major exhibition of his work for 2026 with the intention of representing him not only as a member of the York scene over several decades, but also as a recognised European figure.
John is survived by Pat, their daughter, Jessica, and son, James, and three grandchildren, Sophie, Olivia and Liam.
Paul has also mentioned: He was also a member of the Langton’s Eleven’ which was a group of chaps, including me, who could usually be found after our matches at the Wellington pub in Fulford. John used to arrange matches with equally ad hoc teams around York district. They were great fun. He was very pleased to have had such a positive response for his painting of the Escrick ground with a match in progress from which he created the print that can be found hanging in many YG’s houses (and which was has been used on most club emails).
Some verses to celebrate John Langton’s 80th birthday at the New Years Eve party held in his Fulford studio on the 31st December 2012.
JOHN BATS ON.
How can a man of eighty years,
Who’s drunk much wine and many beers,
Still be standing at his crease?
We pray such wonders never cease.
Of course, as I can say for one,
When bowling, all there is to see is John.
Behind him hidden, the stumps and keeper,
Fine leg too, but somewhat deeper.
His life, we know, has been his art,
Cut deep and clear upon his heart.
By him, for sure, are tales well told.
Erudite, with wit, the best are old.
From rugby field and barrack square,
To Christian Brothers brutal care.
From anecdotes I’m loath to quote,
To writers droll and all they wrote.
‘Renaissance man’ some wag might say,
But such remarks he’d brush away.
For lozzaking is where he shines.
His Dad was first to see the signs.
So John bats on, and on and on
And may, by snicks, just reach a ton.
And if he does, then waves his bat,
Help him off – James and Jess and Pat.
Now stand who can, to John a toast.
A special friend, a generous host.
That’s quite enough of ropey rhymes.
Please raise your glass “To better times”.
Definition – (see the Langton Lexicon):
“Lozzacking”, the lazy pursuit of pleasure and entertainment
when one should be studying and taking life seriously.
Paul Elmhirst
14th Dec 2012