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| Self-Portrait c1968 pencil on light green paper x 23.5 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 19 of a 20-part series on the works of William Roberts:
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| 1974 The Vaulting Horse study pencil and watercolour, squared 38 x 31.2 cm |
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| 1974 The Vaulting Horse oil on canvas 76.5 x 63.5 cm |
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| 1974 The Vengeance of Odysseus study pencil, squared 18.5 x 15 cm |
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| 1974 The Vengeance of Odysseus study pencil and watercolour, squared 26 x 21 cm |
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| 1974 The Vengeance of Odysseus oil on canvas 76.2 x 62.9 cm |
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| 1974 The Vigilantes study pencil, squared 15.2 x 12.7 cm |
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| 1974 The Vigilantes study pencil and watercolour, squared 29.6 x 24.4 cm |
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| 1974 The Vigilantes oil on canvas 76.5 x 63.5 cm |
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| 1975 As Large as That! study pencil, squared 18.5 x 13.5 cm |
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| 1975 As Large as That! pencil and watercolour 46 x 27.5 cm |
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| 1975 Model on a Table study pencil, squared 14.2 x 18.7 cm |
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| 21075 Model on a Table pencil and watercolour 29.5 x 41 cm |
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| 1975 Sending-in Day study pencil on paper 12.7 x 17.2 cm Tate Gallery, London |
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| 1975 Sending-in Day pencil and watercolour on paper 38.1 x 45.1 cm Tate Gallery, London |
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| 1975 The Empty Glass watercolour 48 x 35 cm |
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| 1975 The Gate study pencil, Squared 20 x 15 cm |
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| 1975 The Gate watercolour 48 x 35 cm |
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| 1975 The Guitarists study pencil and watercolour, squared 15 x 18.5 cm |
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| 1975 The Guitarists oil on canvas 40.5 x 51 cm |
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| 1975 The Junk Stall study pencil and watercolour, squared 28 x 36.5 cm |
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| 1975 The Wimpy Bar study pencil and watercolour, squared 18.5 x 14.5 cm |
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| 1975 The Wimpy Bar oil on canvas 76.2 x 63.5 cm |
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| 1975 William Roberts: Sarah Roberts (née Kramer) oil on canvas 76.2 x 64.2 cm National Portrait Gallery, London |
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| 1975 Women Playing Cards pencil and watercolour 36.5 x 46 cm |
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| 1976 Boule Players at Etretat study graphite on paper, squared 15.2 x 18.4 cm Tate Gallery, London |
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| 1976 Boule Players at Etreta oil on canvas 63.5 x 76.2 cm |
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| 1976 Chianti or Tea? pencil and watercolour 30 x 35 cm |
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| 1976 Coffin making study pencil on paper 15.2 x 17.8 cm Tate Gallery, London |
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| 1976 Coffin making study pencil and watercolour, squared 30.5 x 36 cm |
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| 1976 Fixing the Creeper oil on canvas 61 x 46 cm |
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| 1976 The Barber’s Shop study graphite and watercolour on paper 19.1 x 15.2 cm Tate Gallery, London |
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| 1976 The Barber’s Shop oil on canvas 76.5 x 61.5 cm |
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| 1976 The Guitar Lesson oil on canvas 61 x 46 cm |
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| 1976 The Pussy-cats oil on canvas 63 x 76.5 cm |
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| 1976 The See-saw oil on canvas 63.5 x 76.2 cm |
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| 1976 The Shooting Party study pencil and watercolour, squared 22.5 x 16 cm |
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| 1976 The Shooting Party oil on canvas 50.5 x 40.5 cm National Museum Cardiff, UK |
