Portrait of Gerald Laing

Gerald Laing: The 39 Most Famous Paintings, Documented

Updated October 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 39 works by Gerald Laing in our catalogue

Summary

According to this ranking, Gold spin (pile) is the most famous painting by Gerald Laing. It is followed by Thus far and no further and Gethsemane. This list draws on the 39 works by Gerald Laing in the catalogue and records the 39 most famous, with date, holding museum and description for each entry.

1936 – 2011, Newcastle upon Tyne Pop art
Gold spin (pile) by Gerald Laing1. Gold spin (pile) Thus far and no further by Gerald Laing2. Thus far and no further Gethsemane by Gerald Laing3. Gethsemane

Gerald Laing: top 10 entries of the list

Gerald Laing: list continued, 11 to 39

11Indenty by Gerald LaingIndenty 12Trace by Gerald LaingTrace 13Compact by Gerald LaingCompact 14Domestic perspective by Gerald LaingDomestic perspective 15Brigitte bardot by Gerald LaingBrigitte bardot 16Victoria Beckham (Red) by Gerald LaingVictoria Beckham (Red) 17Dragster by Gerald LaingDragster 18Triple by Gerald LaingTriple 19Second sky diver by Gerald LaingSecond sky diver 20Stacy by Gerald LaingStacy 21Mother and child and alter ego by Gerald LaingMother and child and alter ego 22Panoply by Gerald LaingPanoply 23Aad by Gerald LaingAad 24Deceleration ii by Gerald LaingDeceleration ii 25Tall by Gerald LaingTall 26Paper plates by Gerald LaingPaper plates 27First sky diver by Gerald LaingFirst sky diver 28Colgate by Gerald LaingColgate 29Skydiver VI by Gerald LaingSkydiver VI 30Capriccio by Gerald LaingCapriccio 31Deacceleration -3 by Gerald LaingDeacceleration -3 32Homage to joseph albers by Gerald LaingHomage to joseph albers 33Victoria beckham by Gerald LaingVictoria beckham 34Amy winehouse by Gerald LaingAmy winehouse 35September by Gerald LaingSeptember 36Sandra by Gerald LaingSandra 37Resize by Gerald LaingResize 38Deceleration vi by Gerald LaingDeceleration vi 39Anna karina by Gerald LaingAnna karina

Principal subjects in the work of Gerald Laing

The four subjects most frequently represented among these works, each with its best-known example.

Female figure 4 works

Francine, Gerald Laing #5 Francine Tracy, Gerald Laing #6 Tracy Starlet, Gerald Laing #7 Starlet Sandra, Gerald Laing #36 Sandra

Abstract form 2 works

Slide, Gerald Laing #10 Slide Starlet, Gerald Laing #7 Starlet

Gerald Laing by year: the most famous paintings

The dated works of Gerald Laing recorded on this page all date from 1980.

Works per year

Select a year to display its principal paintings.

Gerald Laing: questions and documented answers

Which Gerald Laing painting heads the list of most famous works?Display the answer

Gold spin (pile). The following entries are Thus far and no further and Gethsemane.

Which works make up the top 10 of Gerald Laing?Display the answer

Gold spin (pile), Thus far and no further, Gethsemane, Starlet (2), Francine, Tracy, Starlet, Lincoln convertible, LAING: John Laing Construction Limited: Information Sheet\n\nLAING: John Laing Construction Limited: Information Sheet: Barbican Centre for Arts and Conferences, City of London. and Slide. The list above records the date and holding museum of each.

How many works by Gerald Laing are recorded?Display the answer

The catalogue records 39 works by Gerald Laing.

What subjects appear most in the work of Gerald Laing?Display the answer

Female figure (4) and Abstract form (2), out of the 39 works listed on this page.

Which art movement does Gerald Laing represent?Display the answer

Pop art, as documented by the works on this page.

Gerald Laing: life and work

Gerald Ogilvie-Laing (1936–2011): Pioneer of British Surrealism

Gerald Laing, born February 11th, 1936, remains a singular figure in the landscape of British art history. Though initially trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and Saint Martin’s School of Art, Laing swiftly rejected academic conventions, forging his own path toward a distinctive artistic style characterized by unsettling juxtapositions and vibrant color palettes—a hallmark of what would become known as Surrealist Pop Art.

  • Early Influences: Laing's formative years were marked by exposure to Dadaism and Surrealism, particularly the work of René Magritte and Max Ernst. These artists instilled in him a fascination with dreamlike imagery and challenging perceptions of reality.
  • Saint Martin’s School Legacy: His time at Saint Martin’s provided invaluable experience in printmaking and experimentation with various mediums, shaping his artistic approach.

The Emergence of Surrealist Pop Art

Laing's breakthrough came in the mid-1960s when he embraced a bold new aesthetic—Surrealist Pop Art—that blended the dreamlike qualities of Surrealism with the visual language of popular culture. Rejecting traditional artistic techniques, Laing favored pointillism and halftone printing, creating artworks that demanded close scrutiny and rewarded attentive observation.

  • Technique: He meticulously applied tiny dots of color—a technique reminiscent of Georges Seurat—to build up images with astonishing detail.
  • Subject Matter: Laing’s subjects often explored themes of sexuality, power dynamics, and consumerism, presented in unsettling yet captivating ways.

Notable Works & Artistic Achievements

Laing's oeuvre includes iconic pieces like ‘Lincoln Convertible,’ a monumental surrealist composition featuring a floating vintage automobile populated by figures draped in opulent fabrics—a deliberate provocation against societal norms. Equally compelling is ‘Starlet (2)’—a meticulously rendered nude executed in pointillism, incorporating shimmering gold accents that amplify the artwork’s sensual allure.

  • Lincoln Convertible: This ambitious work exemplifies Laing's masterful command of color and composition, capturing a moment of disorientation and grandeur.
  • Starlet (2): The delicate balance between eroticism and artistic precision distinguishes this unforgettable portrait.
  • Francine: A vibrant reproduction of a 1960s pin-up girl, Laing’s ‘Francine’ showcases his signature halftone printing technique and celebrates the glamour of a bygone era.

Legacy & Historical Significance

Gerald Laing's contribution to British art transcends mere stylistic innovation; he fundamentally questioned artistic conventions and engaged in dialogues with broader cultural anxieties. His uncompromising vision continues to inspire artists today, cementing his place as one of the most influential figures in Surrealist Pop Art—a movement that irrevocably altered the trajectory of contemporary visual culture.

All 39 works by Gerald Laing →