| Stuart Sutcliffe was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on June 23, 1940. At
19, Stu was regarded as one of the most talented and promising students
at the Liverpool Art College, when he met fellow art student John Lennon. When Stuart sold a painting in 1959 for £65, an unheard-of sum for a student's painting in those days, John convinced him to buy a bass guitar and join his band, never mind that he couldn't play his new guitar. While touring in Hamburg with the band, Stuart met Klaus Voorman, who introduced him to the photographer Astrid Kirchherr, and they quickly fell in love. Stuart began to study art again, at the Hamburg State Art College, where Astrid had studied, allowing him to quit the band. Stuart remained in Hamburg while the rest of the band returned to England. Stuart died on April 10, 1962, from a brain
hemmorrhage, following a series of violent headaches. Ironically, the Beatles were to arrive the next day to start their third Hamburg tour. Stuart works were strongly influenced by Vincent Van Gogh, but are more commonly labeled 'modern'. There are many examples of his sketches, oils, and mulitimedia works in exhibitions around the world. Stuart had an amazing talent for placing colour on the canvas, and his paintings (which are sometimes huge) are vivid. Perhaps his most well known paintings are the abstract of Elvis Presley and his self-portrait. For those who would like a more visual image of Stuart, I highly recommend watching the film " Backbeat" which focuses upon John and Stuarts friendship, along with Stuart's relationship with Astrid. The art in the film is often the originals of Stuart's work.
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