Peter Brook was born in Scholes, West Yorkshire, in 1927. He grew up surrounded by the rugged landscapes and rural communities that would later become the primary subjects of his paintings. He initially trained as a teacher at Goldsmiths College, London, before returning to Yorkshire, where he worked as an art teacher while developing his painting practice.
Brook’s artistic career took off in the 1960s when he began exhibiting widely across the UK. He gained national recognition for his evocative portrayals of the Yorkshire countryside and its inhabitants, particularly the rural farming life that was disappearing with modernisation.
He was elected a member of the Royal Society of British Artists (RBA) in 1962, marking a significant milestone in his career. His work was collected by notable institutions, and he exhibited in major galleries, particularly in the North of England. His popularity soared in the 1980s and 1990s, leading to numerous successful exhibitions.
His paintings have been widely collected and continue to be admired for their nostalgic yet honest portrayal of the British landscape. Today, his works remain highly sought after, with many collectors valuing his unique approach to capturing the character of rural England.
Brook worked primarily in oils, though he also used acrylics, pen, and ink for sketches and smaller works. His brushwork was loose yet precise enough to convey the textures of stone walls, trees, and rolling hills.
Peter Brook’s paintings stand as a lasting tribute to the northern English landscape, documenting a way of life that has changed over time. His work remains deeply popular among collectors and continues to be exhibited. Galleries across the UK, particularly in Yorkshire, still celebrate his contribution to British landscape painting.
His trademark became the inclusion of himself and his dog in many of his paintings. Brook's work is held in the Tate Gallery and he has featured, twice, in the annual desk diaries
