Robin Ironside was renowned for his Surrealist paintings and theatre designs inspired by fantasy. Born in London, Ironside received his academic training at the Courtauld Institute of Art but was mostly a self-taught painter. Following graduation he went on to work as Assistant Keeper of the Tate Gallery, a position in which he served for nearly ten years. As a professional painter, Ironside first gained notice alongside his brother Christopher, also an artist, who collaborated together in an exhibition held at the Redfern Gallery, London in 1944. The brothers continued to collaborate throughout their careers. Ironside is perhaps best known for his work as a designer for the theatre, in which he often produced lavish set and stage decorations for a variety of performances such as ‘Sylvia’ in Covent Garden, 1952 and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at the Edinburgh Festival, 1957.