Richard Chopping was a British writer and painter, best known as the original illustrator of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels, including From Russia with Love and Goldfinger – a commission that had been declined by his former friend and subsequent arch-rival, Lucien Freud.
His distinctive style and immaculate mastery of tromp l’oeil led Fleming – who was a Wiltshire resident in later life and is buried in Sevenhampton, Wiltshire – to describe him as ‘a totally brilliant artistic collaborator!’, but he was also a successful illustrator and writer of natural history and children’s books. The range of Chopping’s work will be explored in an exhibition at Salisbury Museum, due to launch when the museum re-opens in May.
Richard Chopping original work ©Jon Lys Turner
In this Online Talk, Jon Lys Turner – Chair of the Salisbury Museum Board of Trustees, and close friend of Chopping and his partner Denis Wirth Miller – will introduce Chopping’s extraordinary work and life, including some of his intimate friendships with many significant twentieth-century cultural figures, from Francis Bacon to Benjamin Britten, Nina Hamnett to Noel Coward.
Francis Bacon and Richard Chopping
Tickets for this Online Talk are free, and all donations support The Salisbury Museum.
The talk will be held on Zoom, and you will be sent the joining details by email in advance. The cut-off for ticket sales is 10am on the morning of 12 May.
You will be able to join on the evening from 7pm – giving you the opportunity to check your connection, test your sound, and settle in comfortably! – with the talk itself starting promptly at 7.30pm.
Exclusive Interview with Jon Lys Turner, author of The Visitor’s Book
Artistic Licence Renewed 
Chopping was brilliant and I am always in awe of his work when I run into it. I always incorporate a “Chopping Fly” in my paintings now, as an homage to the Master!