Portrait of John Codner

John Codner: The 12 Most Famous Paintings, Documented

Updated October 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 12 works by John Codner in our catalogue

Summary

According to this ranking, Tom Burrough is the most famous painting by John Codner; the Royal West of England Academy, Bristol, holds it. It is followed by Miss Dawson, Principal and Charlotte Street, Bristol, in Snow (1939). This list draws on the 12 works by John Codner in the catalogue and records the 12 most famous, with date, holding museum and description for each entry.

1913 – 2008 Most works: Royal West of England Academy
Tom Burrough by John Codner1. Tom Burrough Miss Dawson, Principal by John Codner2. Miss Dawson, Principal Charlotte Street, Bristol, in Snow (1939) by John Codner3. Charlotte Street, Bristol, in Snow 1939

John Codner: top 10 entries of the list

John Codner: list continued, 11 to 12

11Fruit by John CodnerFruitRoyal West of England Academy 12Henry Hugh Arthur Fitzroy Somerset (1900–1984), 10th Duke of Beaufort by John CodnerHenry Hugh Arthur Fitzroy Somerset (1900–1984), 10th Duke of BeaufortMuseum of Gloucester

John Codner: holding museums

The 7 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by John Codner Paintings from this list
Royal West of England Academy, BristolRoyal West of England Academy Bristol 6 Tom Burrough, Still Life, Summer Landscape
Bath Spa University, BathBath Spa University Bath 1 Miss Dawson, Principal
University of Bristol, БристольUniversity of Bristol Бристоль 1 Charlotte Street, Bristol, in Snow
Government Art Collection, LondonGovernment Art Collection London 1 Mushrooms
Tynwald, DouglasTynwald Douglas 1 Sir Joseph Davidson Qualtrough (1885–1960), Speaker of the House of Keys (1937–1960)
Bristol Museum - Art Gallery, BristolBristol Museum - Art Gallery Bristol 1 Alderman Brown
Museum of Gloucester, GloucesterMuseum of Gloucester Gloucester 1 Henry Hugh Arthur Fitzroy Somerset (1900–1984), 10th Duke of Beaufort

John Codner by year: the most famous paintings

The dated works of John Codner recorded on this page all date from 1939.

Works per year

Select a year to display its principal paintings.

John Codner: questions and documented answers

Which John Codner painting heads the list of most famous works?Display the answer

Tom Burrough, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol. The following entries are Miss Dawson, Principal and Charlotte Street, Bristol, in Snow (1939).

Which works make up the top 10 of John Codner?Display the answer

Tom Burrough, Miss Dawson, Principal, Charlotte Street, Bristol, in Snow, Mushrooms, Still Life, Sir Joseph Davidson Qualtrough (1885–1960), Speaker of the House of Keys (1937–1960), Summer Landscape, Brandon Hill, Bristol, Alderman Brown and Red Decanter. The list above records the date and holding museum of each.

How many works by John Codner are recorded?Display the answer

The catalogue records 12 works by John Codner.

In which collections are John Codner's most famous works held?Display the answer

Principally in Royal West of England Academy (Bristol), Bath Spa University (Bath) and University of Bristol (Бристоль). The museum table above gives the full distribution.

Which works of John Codner are held by the Royal West of England Academy?Display the answer

Tom Burrough, Still Life and Summer Landscape are among the 6 works on this page in the collection of the Royal West of England Academy, Bristol.

John Codner: life and work

John Whitlock Codner (1913–2008): A Painter Shaped by War and Tradition

John Whitlock Codner (1913 – 2008) was a British painter whose artistic journey unfolded against the backdrop of wartime Britain, profoundly influenced by his father’s legacy as a society painter and nurtured by the mentorship of Alfred Munnings. His distinctive style—characterized by meticulous observation of detail and imbued with a quiet dignity—earned him recognition within the Royal West of England Academy (RWA) and secured his place among the prominent artists of the 20th century.
  • Early Life & Family Roots
  • Education & Influences
  • Wartime Camouflage Officer & Artistic Collaboration
  • Career as Painter: Style and Technique
  • Legacy & Recognition

Early Life & Family Roots

Born in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, in 1913, Codner’s artistic inclinations stemmed from a familial connection to Maurice Codner, a respected society painter who championed Munnings's vision and established a formative relationship with the celebrated landscape artist. This exposure to Munnings’s aesthetic sensibilities—marked by bold brushstrokes and an uncompromising commitment to capturing the essence of rural England—would become a cornerstone of Codner’s artistic development.Maurice Codner’s friendship with Alfred Munnings proved instrumental in shaping John Codner's artistic trajectory.

Education & Influences

Codner pursued his formal education at St. Edward’s School, Oxford, where he honed his intellectual curiosity alongside fellow students destined for distinguished careers.St. Edward’s School provided a rigorous academic grounding that complemented Codner's burgeoning artistic interests. Subsequently, he enrolled at Regent Street Polytechnic School of Art, immersing himself in the study of painting and furthering his technical skills. This period solidified his understanding of artistic principles and prepared him for a career dedicated to visual representation.The influence of Munnings’s expressive style undoubtedly shaped Codner's approach to landscape painting.

Wartime Camouflage Officer & Artistic Collaboration

During the Second World War, Codner served as a camouflage officer in Geoffrey Barkas’s Middle East Command Camouflage Directorate. This experience wasn’t merely a duty obligation; it was an immersive encounter with practical artistry—a necessity for deceiving enemy forces.Codner's wartime service demanded both tactical acumen and artistic creativity. He collaborated closely with Peter Proud, crafting innovative camouflage designs that utilized color palettes and textures to blend seamlessly into the desert landscape. Alongside Steven Sykes (a stained glass artist), Edward Bainbridge Copnall (a sculptor) Jasper Maskelyne (a stage magician) and Peter Proud, Codner worked on Operation Crusader.The collaborative effort with Proud exemplifies Codner’s ability to integrate artistic vision with strategic considerations.

Career as Painter: Style & Technique

Codner established his studio in Stokenham, Devon, dedicating himself to painting—primarily figure portraits and still lifes—with unwavering dedication.Codner's meticulous attention to detail and masterful brushwork characterized his distinctive artistic style. He exhibited extensively at the Royal Academy and the RWA, garnering critical acclaim for his evocative depictions of human subjects and landscapes. His works are held in numerous public collections across Britain, testament to their enduring beauty and artistic merit.Codner’s paintings consistently demonstrate a profound understanding of light and color—elements central to conveying emotion and capturing the spirit of his subjects.

Legacy & Recognition

John Whitlock Codner was elected as an academician in 1963, cementing his position among Britain's most respected artists.Codner’s election into the Royal West of England Academy symbolized his contribution to British art history. He remained active until his death in 2008, continuing to produce paintings that reflected both tradition and personal vision. His legacy resides not only in his artistic output but also in his role as a mentor and educator—inspiring generations of artists to pursue excellence.Codner’s enduring influence can be seen in the stylistic choices of subsequent painters who admired his unwavering commitment to craft.
All 12 works by John Codner →