About the artist
Ælred Joseph Celestine Bartlett
Born 6 April, the youngest of twelve children. His father ran the Art and Book Company in Victoria Street in London
1934-39
Studied at the Slade School of Art, London. On graduating, worked for a time on scenery at the Old Vic; also taught briefly at the Slade before war broke out.
1941
Married Elizabeth (‘Steve’) Stephen, a former fellow Slade student; they had three children.
1942
Volunteered as an anti aircraft gunner and later served in the Intelligence Corps in Africa, Italy and Austria.
1945
After demob Bartlett joined his brother Anthony in the family business, involved in restoring and embellishing churches.
1956
Travelled to Italy, Greece, Turkey and Ireland in search of materials including marble for major commissions.
1962
Began regular visits to Greece, resuming his career as an artist.
1964
One-man show at the Leicester Gallery, London. Painting was then interrupted by a period of ill health.
1968
Began work designing and building his house in Greece.
1983
Reached retirement age; resumed painting, dividing his time in the following years between Greece and his London flat.
2004
Died 9 April aged 86.
2008
Retrospective exhibitions at the Hellenic Centre, London (In Theseus' Footsteps, April) and the Adonis Gallery, London (Hellenic Summer, August).