David Wolfers was born in Bedaihe, China, to an English father and an American mother in 1917. Having moved to England as a teenager, he later founded the New Grafton Gallery in London's Mayfair in 1967, where he championed modern British figurative artists, such as Ken Howard and Mary Fedden. Despite relocating from Mayfair to Barnes in the 1980s, the gallery continued to thrive and attract new patrons, showcasing works by prominent artists, including Stanley Spencer and Josef Herman, until its closure in
Gallerist David Wolfers was born on 2 July 1917 in Beidaihe, a district in the city of Qinhuangdao, China, to an English father who managed a trading company and an American mother, the daughter of a missionary. His grandfather had written the first Chinese-English grammar and served as the American Minister in Peking. Wolfers' early life was marked by comfort and privilege, living in an expatriate household with nine servants, three polo ponies, and a chauffeur. When his father was posted to America, the family relocated, and Wolfers began his education at Kent School in Connecticut. Aged 15, he was then sent to boarding school in England, attending Radley College in Abingdon, near Oxford. His academic prowess won him an exhibition to Worcester College, University of Oxford, where he read Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. However, his education was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War. During the war, Wolfers joined the Royal Artillery and served with distinction in North Africa with the Fourth Indian Division. He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for bravery but was later captured at Tobruk. As a prisoner of war, he endured significant hardships, emerging from captivity in Hanover weighing only eight stone. He left the army in 1945 with the rank of major.
Postwar, Wolfers began a journalism career at the Manchester Evening Chronicle with the Kemsley group, then worked with the author, Ian Fleming, in London before moving to Paris. He later joined the BBC as a producer before transitioning in 1957 into public relations at Shell Chemicals, where he launched Land and Catalyst magazines, commissioning work from admired modern British artists, including John Nash. However, despite his successful career in journalism and public relations, Wolfers’ true passion lay in the art world. This dream was realised in 1967 when he raised £9,000 and opened the New Grafton Gallery in London's Mayfair, first in Hay Hill and then in Old Bond Street. The gallery quickly gained a reputation for promoting modern British figurative art, showcasing both established and emerging artists. Among the first artists he represented were Ken Howard, Sheila Fell, and Ben Levene. Wolfers' commitment to his artists was unparalleled. He prioritised their welfare over financial gain, fostering long-term loyalty and trust. His gallery became a haven for figurative painters, reflecting his own admiration for artists such as Stanley Spencer and the early Renaissance painter, Piero della Francesca. Wolfers was known for his unwavering support of new talent, often discovering and nurturing artists early in their careers. Notable among these were Susan-Jayne Hocking, Fred Cuming, Ken Howard, and Mary Fedden. Wolfers first discovered Hocking’s work in 1987 at the Royal Academy Schools. He was immediately captivated by her distinctive style and included her paintings in his 1994 Summer Exhibition. This marked the beginning of a fruitful relationship, leading to several solo shows at the gallery.
The gallery’s previews, held on Thursdays, became social highlights, drawing enthusiastic crowds of buyers and art lovers. Wolfers’ personal charm and extensive network made him a well-known figure in London’s art circles. He was friends with artists, Rodrigo Moynihan, John Minton, John Piper, and Elisabeth Frink, and was later the artistic executor for John Nash. In the early 1980s, escalating rents forced him to relocate the gallery from Mayfair to Barnes, in south west London. Despite initial concerns, about 80% of his clientele followed him, and the gallery continued to thrive (Times 2002). In Barnes, Wolfers maintained the gallery's reputation for showcasing a mix of established and emerging British artists. His roster included Peter Greenham, Carol Weight, and emigre, Josef Herman, among others. Wolfers also showcased the work of Polish refugee, Zdzislaw Ruszkowski in 1978.
Wolfers’ daughter, Claudia, eventually joined the gallery in 1987 and inherited the business on her father’s death. David Wolfers died on 30 December 2001 in Fingringhoe, Essex, England. The book A Private View, published in 2002, blends Wolfers' personal memories and anecdotes, offering a vivid account of the New Grafton Gallery's creation and its pivotal role in post-war British art. Edited by Julian Halsby, the publication features works by renowned artists such as Patrick Heron, Mary Fedden, Ruskin Spear, Stanley Spencer, and many others, providing a rich visual and narrative history. The New Grafton gallery finally closed its door in Barnes in the mid-2010s.
Consult items in the Ben Uri archive related to [David Wolfers]
Publications related to [David Wolfers] in the Ben Uri Library