Self-Portrait 1963
pencil 37 x 26.5 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 11 of a 20-part series on the works of William Roberts:
c1942 The Gypsies study
pencil, squared 16.5 x 13.5 cmc1942 The Gypsies
pencil on paper, squared (size not given)
Tate Gallery, Londonc1942 The Gypsies study
pencil and watercolour 26.2 x 14.2 cmc1942 The Gypsies
oil on canvas 50 x 39 cm
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| c1942 Woman with a Cat graphite and watercolour on paper 11.4 x 17.8 cm Tate Gallery. London |
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| 1943 Recorder Players oil on canvas 19 x 24 cm |
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| 1943 The Guitarist (John) watercolour 55 x 33 cm |
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| 1943-44 Cyclists study pencil and watercolour, squared 29,5 x 10.5 cm |
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| 1943-44 Cyclists chalk and watercolour 52.5 x 35 cm |
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| 1943-44 The Bathers pencil and watercolour 34 x 52.5 cm |
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| 1943-44 The Gypsy Flower Seller study red chalk and pencil 19 x 14 cm |
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| 1943-44 The Gypsy Flower Seller pencil and watercolour study, squared (size not given) |
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| 1943-44 The Gypsy Flower Seller black chalk and watercolour, squared 54 x 33 cm |
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| 1943-44 Woman Playing with a Cat study pencil and watercolour, squared 18 x 10 cm |
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| 1943-44 Woman Playing with a Cat pencil, watercolour and coloured crayon 35.6 x 17.8 cm |
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| 1943-44 Woman Playing with a Cat black chalk with watercolour 53 x 31 cm |
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| c1943 A Station Scene in Wartime study pencil, watercolour, pen and red ink, squared 12.7 x 17.8 cm |
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| c1943 A Station Scene in Wartime watercolour 40 x 50 cm |
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| c1943 The Gift pencil and watercolour, squared 55 x 33 cm |
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| c1943 The Punters study pencil, squared 15 x 19.5 cm |
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| c1943 The Punters study pencil, squared 17.5 x 22 cm |
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| c1943 The Punters pencil and watercolour 17.2 x 22.8 cm |
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| 1943 The Punters oil on canvas 40.6 x 50.8 cm |
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| c1943 Women Railway Porters in Wartime pencil and watercolour study 19 x 28 cm |
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| c1943 Women Railway Porters in Wartime watercolour 37.1 x 51.6 cm Imperial War Museum, London |
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| 1943-45 Mothers study pencil 18 x 12.8 cm |
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| 1944-45 Mothers pencil and watercolour, squared 16.5 x 11.5 cm |
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| 1944-45 Mothers watercolour (details not given) |
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| 1944-45 The Tip pencil and watercolour 17.5 x 12.8 cm |
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| 1944-45 The Plough charcoal and watercolour 35 x 52.5 cm |
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| c1944-45 The Recital study, squared 16.2 x 28 cm |
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| c1944-45 The Recital watercolour and pencil, squared 15.5 x 25.7 cm |
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| c1944-45 The Recital watercolour, pencil and ink 33 x 52 cm |
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| c1944 Christopher Milford oil on canvas 43.2 x 33 cm |
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| c1944 Ferry Crossing study for ‘The Ferry’ graphite and watercolour on paper 16.5 x 12.7 cm Tate Gallery, London |
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| c1944 Ferry Crossing oil on canvas 52.5 x 42.5 cm |
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| c1944 Hedge cutting watercolour 48.3 x 31.8 cm |
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| c1944 Ironing pencil and watercolour 54.6 x 34 cm |
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| c1944 Old Women and Girl graphite and watercolour on paper 17.8 x 11.4 cm Tate Gallery. London |
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| c1944 Saloon Bar pencil and watercolour 34.3 x 55.3 cm |
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| c1944 The Tea Party pencil and watercolour 33 x 53 cm |
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| 1945 Indolence pencil and watercolour study, squared 12.1 x 17.5 cm |
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| 1945 Indolence red pencil, black chalk, and watercolour |
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| c1945 The Tramp graphite and watercolour study, squared 10.2 x 17.8 cm Tate Gallery, London |
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| c1945 The Tramp pencil and watercolour, 35 cm x 53 cm |
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| 1946 Kumari de Zoysa oil on canvas 48 x 38 cm |
