Last updated: 27 October 2026
Ithell Colquhoun (1906 to 1988) was the British surrealist whose work drew on the occult, mysticism and the Cornish landscape. Here you will find our take on her work, her Tate show and the prints you can buy.
Our take on Ithell Colquhoun
Colquhoun was a British surrealist whose interests took in occultism, mysticism, ecology, and gender and sexual identity, according to Tate.
She moved to Cornwall in the early 1940s, took a studio in Lamorna in 1949 and later settled in Paul. Works include Scylla (1938), Gorgon (1946), Attributes of the Moon (1947) and the series The Diagrams of Love (1940 to 1942). She also wrote, including The Living Stones: Cornwall (1957).
Tate holds a large archive of her work. Its 2025 show, which came to Tate Britain from Tate St Ives, was the largest of her work so far, with over 130 paintings and drawings.
Ithell Colquhoun: the essentials
- Lived 1906 to 1988, according to Tate.
- Worked with surrealism and the occult, and wrote as well as painted.
- Lived in Cornwall from the early 1940s, with a studio in Lamorna from 1949.
- Tate holds a large archive of her work.
Ithell Colquhoun exhibitions
- Ithell Colquhoun, Tate Britain, London, 13 June to 19 October 2025, after a run at Tate St Ives.
Where to buy Ithell Colquhoun prints
From the Tate shop:
- Made-to-order prints, from £30: including Attributes of the Moon and cards from her tarot, in your choice of size and frame, from the Tate shop.
Ithell Colquhoun FAQs
Who was Ithell Colquhoun?
A British surrealist painter and writer (1906 to 1988) whose work drew on the occult and the landscape of Cornwall.
Where did Ithell Colquhoun live?
In Cornwall from the early 1940s, with a studio in Lamorna from 1949, later settling in Paul.
When was Ithell Colquhoun at Tate Britain?
From 13 June to 19 October 2025, after Tate St Ives.
Can I buy an Ithell Colquhoun print?
Yes. The Tate shop sells made-to-order prints of her work from £30.
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- Best affordable art in the UK: where to start collecting prints.
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Main image: Ithell Colquhoun. Photo: Man Ray, via Dazed. Cropped and framed by CoolCuration. Exhibition dates and prices last checked: 27 October 2026.
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