Wakefield Museums and Castles

Albert Wainwright (1898-1943) was an influential artist from Castleford. He was a gay man at a time when homosexuality was still illegal in Britain.

These drawings are from Wainwright's personal sketchbooks. They include studies of male figures sitting together or reclining on one another. They are a rare record of gay intimacy in the early 1900s.

Wainwright was born and brought up in Castleford. He went to Castleford Grammar School with fellow artist, Henry Moore. His teachers included Alice Gostick. Gostick encouraged Wainwright’s talent. With her support, he got a place at the Leeds School of Art in 1914. 

Gostick encouraged her pupils to design costumes and stage sets for school shows. Wainwright went on to work as a theatrical designer. He received over a hundred costume and scenery commissions. 

As well as commercial work, Wainwright did hundreds of drawings. He filled many sketchbooks with illustrations of local landmarks. His personal sketchbooks also include many studies of people. These include androgynous figures and young men. 

Albert Wainwright sadly died from meningitis in 1943. He was only 45.

Gay relationships did not become legal until 24 years after Wainwright's early death.

Read our biographical note about Wainwright's life, work and reputation.