Self-Portrait 1965
pencil 26.5 x 17.5 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 12 of a 20-part series on the works of William Roberts:
1946 The War Baby study
pencil, watercolour and crayon, squared 14.5 x 19.0 cm1946 The War Baby
oil on canvas 50 x 60 cm
(colour version not found)1946-47 Crossing the Minch study
pencil, squared 18 x 13.5 cm1946-47 Crossing the Minch
pen, ink and watercolour 35.5 x 25.5 cm1946-47 Evening in Oban study
pencil, squared 18 x 13.3 cm1946-47 Evening in Oban
pen, ink and watercolour 35.5 x 25.5 cm1946-47 The Gypsies study
pencil, squared 18.5 x 12.5 cm1945-47 The Gypsies
pen, ink and watercolour 36.5 x 25.7 cm 1946-48 Trying on a Hat
pen and ink and watercolour 36.2 x 26.5 cm 1946-49 Spanish Rhythm study
pencil, squared 24.1 x 24.1 cm1946-49 Spanish Rhythm study
watercolour and pencil, squared 13.3 x 15.9 cm1946-49 Spanish Rhythm
oil on canvas 56 x 66.5 cmc1946 Barra Graveyard, Shetlands study
pencil on paper, squared 12.7 x 17.8 cmc1946 Barra Graveyard, Shetlands
pen, ink and watercolour 26 x 35.5 cmc1946 Robin Brook
oil on canvas 43 x 33.5 cmc1946 The Barber's Shop study
pencil and watercolour, squared, 15.2 x 12.7 cmc1946 The Barber's Shop
oil on canvas 51 x 40.6 cm1947-48 The Rhododendron
oil on canvas 61.5 x 51 cm
The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art, London1948 Study for ‘I’ll Put a Tuck in ‘Em’
pencil on paper 17.8 x 13.3 cm
Tate Gallery, London1948 ‘I’ll Put a Tuck in ‘Em’
watercolour 35 x 25 cmc1948 La Nature Morte (Still Life)
study, squared
watercolour 18 x 12.5 cm 1948 La Nature Morte (Still Life)
watercolour 49.5 x 31.8 cm
Museum of Art, Swindon, UK1948 Study for ‘Homage à Stulik'
graphite on paper 18.4 x 13.3 cm
Tate Gallery. London1948 Homage à Stulik
pencil, ink and watercolour 39.6 x 28.7 cm1948 The Sailor's Return study
pencil, crayon and watercolour, squared 15.2 x 12.7 cm1948-49 Bus Stop study
graphite on paper, squared 17.8 x 89 cm
Tate Gallery, London1948-49 Bus Stop
watercolour 40 x 22.5 cm1948-49 Portrait of a Man lighting a Pipe
oil on canvas 51.4 x 39.7 cm
Tate Gallery, London1948-49 Sarah with Her Hair in Ribbons
oil on canvas 50.8 x 40.6 cm1948-49 The London Group gives a Reception study
pencil, squared 13 x 18.3 cm1948-49 The London Group gives a Reception
watercolour, pencil and ink 25 x 35 cm1948-53 Milking Goats
pen and ink 22.5 x 15 cmc1948 Good Food for Growing Children
Cover design for a publication of Ernest Cooper's London Health Centrec1948 Mother and Children Picnicking
pen and ink 15 x 15 cmc1948 The Critic Intervenes study
pencil, squared 15.2 x 13.3 cmc1948 The Critic Intervenes
pen and black ink and watercolour 38 x 28 cm1949 Cantering to the Post
oil on canvas 61 x 50.8 cm
Tate Gallery, London1949 Côte d'Azur study
pencil, squared 13 x 19 cm1949 Côte d'Azur
pen and watercolour 25 x 36.4 cm1949 Donald Wolfit as King Lear at the 'Old Bedford'
(aka King Lear)
oil on canvas 50 x 39 cm1949-50 Primrose Hill study
watercolour and pencil, squared 33.5 x 43 cm1949-50 Primrose Hill
oil on canvas 40.5 x 51 cmc1949 Ernest Cooper, Esq.
oil on canvas 51 x 40.5 cmc1949 In the Straight
pencil and watercolour 27 x 37 cm
