Anthony Blunt was a leading British art historian and Soviet spy. He was Professor of the History of Art at the University of London, director of the Courtauld Institute of Art, and Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures. From early on, Blunt gained an appreciation for French art. Blunt issued a book on the French architect Francois Mansart.
Blunt's life was an astonishing combination of art history and long-standing survelliance. Among his many accomplishments, Blunt also received a series of honorary fellowships, became the National Trust's picture adviser, curated exhibitions at the Royal Academy, edited and wrote numerous books and articles, and sat on many influential committee in the arts.
Many of his publications are still seen today by scholars as integral to the study of art history. His writing is informative, and places art in its context in history. In 1945 he was appointed royal surveyor of the king’s (later the queen’s) pictures, and in 1947 he became director of the Courtauld Institute, one of the best centers of training and research in art history. He was nighted by the Queen in 1956 for his work as the Royal Curator of Art, but stripped of his knighthood in 1979, when he was exposed as a Soviet spy.
Anthony was producing precociously fluent defences of modern art - an early indication of his academic talent. After being discovered as a spy, Blunt was treated badly, but later was later appreciated due to his taste for art. Blunt died in 1983 of natural causes in Westminister, United Kingdom.
Blunt was on the best curators of art history. His talent of recognizing art was commendable as well as remarkable. He explained the work of art very beautifully. There is no doubt that he had a good eye. Even thought being a spy, defamed him in England, still his passion for art did not end.
He kept on writing and about the work of different artists and recognized different talents altogether. His death was truly a loss to our generation. We could’ve learned a lot from him.