The achievement of Christopher Wood has often been overshadowed by the legend that grew up around his life after his dramatic suicide at the age of 29. Increasingly, however, critics have come to see his work, particularly the output of the last two years of his life, as having a pivotal role in the development of modernism in Britain. The integrity of Wood's endeavour, the combination of self-confidence and uncertainty, accomplishment and awkwardness gives his paintings a very human quality that continues to be recognised and admired by audiences and painters today.