Terence Cuneo British, 1907-1996

Terence Cuneo was a British painter born in London to the artists Cyrus and Nell Cuneo. He studied at Chelsea Polytechnic and the Slade School of Art, initially working as an illustrator before turning to oil painting in the mid-1930s. During the Second World War he served as a sapper and later worked with the War Artists’ Advisory Committee, producing detailed images of military activity and equipment.

In the post-war period, Cuneo established a reputation for scenes of modern industry and transport, particularly railways. He was appointed official artist to the 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, producing a large-scale record of the event. His work also extended to subjects such as African wildlife, ceremonial occasions and landscape, though his depictions of locomotives and engineering projects remain his most recognised. Cuneo maintained close associations with British Rail and undertook numerous commissions documenting the transition from steam to diesel. His paintings are characterised by close attention to mechanical detail and structured compositions. A recurring feature is the inclusion of a small painted mouse, introduced during the 1950s and retained thereafter. His work was widely reproduced, appearing in publications and on Royal Mail stamps, and he was appointed OBE and later CVO. A bronze statue at Waterloo Station commemorates his contribution to British art and industry.