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| Self-Portrait 1965 pencil and watercolour 38.2 x 28 cm |
Roberts was a pioneer, among English artists, in his use of abstract images. In later years he described his approach as that of an “English Cubist”. In the First World War he served as a gunner on the Western Front, and in 1918 became an official war artist. Roberts’s first one-man show was at the Chenil Gallery in London in 1923, and a number of his paintings from the twenties were purchased by the Contemporary Art Society for provincial galleries in the UK. In the 1930s it could be argued that Roberts was artistically at the top of his game; but, although his work was exhibited regularly in London and, increasingly, internationally, he always struggled financially. This situation became worse during the Second World War – although Roberts did carry out some commissions as a war artist.
Roberts is probably best remembered for the large, complex and colourful compositions that he exhibited annually at the Royal Academy summer exhibition from the 1950s until his death. He had a major retrospective at the Tate Gallery in 1965, and was elected a full member of the Royal Academy in 1966. There has recently been a revival of interest in the work of this artist who always worked outside the mainstream.
Note: All images © reserved (Bona Vacantia)
This is part 13 of a 20-part series on the works of William Roberts:
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| c1949 The Guitar Lesson pen and wash 35.6 x 25.4 cm Arts Council Collection, London © Estate of John David Roberts |
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| 1950-51 Study for ‘The Temptation of St Anthony’ graphite on paper 17.8 x 12.7 cm Tate Gallery, London |
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| 1950-51 The Temptation of St Anthony graphite and watercolour 35 x x 26.3 cm |
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| 1950-51 The Temptation of St Anthony oil on canvas 152.7 x 114.9 cm Tate Gallery, London |
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| 1952 The Goats pencil study, squared 18.5 x 13 cm |
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| 1952 The Goats pencil and watercolour 46.3 x 34.9 cm |
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| 1952 The Goats oil on canvas 140 x 117.5 cm |
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| 1952 The Revolt in the Desert graphite, squared on paper 20.3 x 12.1 cm |
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| 1952 The Revolt in the Desert pencil and watercolour, squared 40 x 24 cm |
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| 1952 The Revolt in the Desert oil on canvas 244.7 x 144.8 cm Southampton City Art Gallery, UK |
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| 1952 Trafalgar Square study pencil. squared 18 x 12.5 cm |
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| 1952 Trafalgar Square study watercolour, squared 46.7 x 32.5 cm |
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| 1952 Trafalgar Square oil on canvas 19.6 x 15.7 cm |
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| c1952 Study for ‘Revolt in the Desert’ graphite on paper, squared 20.3 x 12.1 cm Tate Gallery, London |
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| c1952 Revolt in the Desert oil on canvas Southampton City Art Gallery, UK |
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| 1953 A Simple Guide to Healthy Food cover design |
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| 1953 Bread The Whole-Wheat Way to Health cover design for a publication of Ernest Cooper’s London Health Centre |
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| 1953 London Zoo: designs for a bus-stop panel pen, ink and watercolour 38 x 21.5 cm |
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| 1953 Masked Revels study pencil, squared 18.4 x 13.3 cm |
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| 1953 Masked Revels study pencil and watercolour, squared 38.1 x 30.5 cm |
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| 1953 Masked Revels oil on canvas 112.1 x 90.8 cm |
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| 1953 The Camels study pencil 8 x 10.5 cm |
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| 1953 The Camels pen and watercolour (size not given) |
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| c1953 Salads for All Seasons cover design for a publication of Ernest Cooper’s London Health Centre |
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| c1953 Towards Better Health study pencil and watercolour, squared 18.4 x 13.3 cm |
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| c1953 Towards Better Health pen, black ink, watercolour, gouache and pencil 36.5 x 26.5 cm |
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| c1953 Woman Picking Nuts (aka Olive Picking) pen and ink 10 x 15 cm |
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| c1953 Women gathering Seaweed pen and ink 12.5 x 15 cm |
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| c1954 The Shoe-Shop study pencil, squared 17.8 x 11.5 cm |
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| c1954 The Shoe-Shop pencil and watercolour 18.5 x 13.5 cm |
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| 1955 The Horse Dealers study pencil, squared 18.5 x 12 cm |
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| 1955 The Horse Dealers watercolour and black crayon 50.8 x 44.5 cm |
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| 1955 The Rape of the Sabines study pencil and watercolour, squared 50.8 x 34.3 cm |
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| 1955 The Rape of the Sabines oil on canvas 152.3 x 109.3 cm |
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| c1955 Boys Fishing pencil and watercolour 53.3 x 34.3 cm |
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| c1955 Mrs Sadie Cooper oil on canvas 51 x 40.5 cm |
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| 1955 Tea Break study pencil and watercolour, squared 13 x 17 cm |
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| c1955 The Shoe-black study pencil, squared 18.5 x 13 cm |
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| c1955 The Shoe-black pencil and wash on paper 50.5 x 34.2 cm |
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| 1956 Art Gallery pen and ink 18 x 12.5 cm |
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| Spring: Lambing pen and ink |
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| Summer: Sun-bathing pen and ink 18.4 x 13..3 cm |
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| Autumn: Huntsmen pen and ink 18.9 x 23.3 cm |
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| Winter:Christmas Party pen and ink 18.9 x 13.3 cm |