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| Self-Portrait 1977 pencil 30.5 x 22 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 18 of a 20-part series on the works of William Roberts:
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| c1970 The Party study pencil and watercolour, squared 15.9 x 19.7 cm |
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| c1970 The Party oil on canvas 61.5 x 76.5 cm |
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| 1971 Dog Lovers oil on canvas 75 x 55 cm |
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| 1971 Not Guilty watercolour (size not given) |
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| 1971 Rush Hour study pencil and watercolour, squared 40 x 30.5 cm |
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| 1971 The Boatmen study pencil, squared 18.7 x 12.8 cm |
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| 1971 The Boatmen watercolour, bodycolour and pencil 50.8 x 33.0 cm |
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| 1971 The Doorstep study pencil, squared 19 x 14 cm |
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| 1971 The Doorstep pencil and watercolour 47 x 27.9 cm |
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| 1971 The Family pencil (and watercolour?) on paper 47 x 27.9 cm Tate Gallery, London |
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| 1971 The Party oil on canvas 61 x 76.2 cm The Ingram Collection, London |
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| 1971 The Winner study pencil, squared 13.3 x 17.2 cm |
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| 1971 The Winner pencil and watercolour 46.7 x 49 cm |
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| 1972 Ennui sudy pencil and watercolour, squared 18.1 x 13 cm |
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| 1972 Ennui oil on canvas 70.5 x 50.5 cm |
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| 1972 Life Class study pencil, squared 12.5 x 16.5 cm |
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| 1972 Life Class study pencil and watercolour, squared 36 x 46.5 cm |
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| 1972 On the Wire study pencil on paper 19.1 x 14.6 cm Tate Gallery, London |
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| 1972 On the Wire pencil, charcoal and watercolour 46.9 x 36.8 cm |
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| 1972 The Swans study pencil, crayon and watercolour, squared 19 x 1.5 cm |
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| 1972 The Swans oil on canvas 76.2 x 61 cm |
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| 1972 Tiddler Fishing oil on canvas 91.4 x 76.2 cm |
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| 1972 Tree Pruners study pencil, squared 19 x 13.3 cm |
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| 1972 Tree Pruners pencil and watercolour 40 x 30 cm |
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| 1973 Alarm oil on canvas 61 x 57 cm |
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| 1973 Bath-Night oil on canvas 61 x 76.2 cm |
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| 1973 Feeding the Seagulls study pencil, watercolour and gouache, squared 17.5 x 14.9 cm |
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| 1973 Feeding the Seagulls oil on canvas 77 x 66 cm |
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| 1973 The Divine Bottle study pencil, squared 12.7 x 15.2 cm |
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| 1973 The Divine Bottle oil on canvas 62.5 x 75 cm |
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| 1973 The Art Gallery study pencil and watercolour, squared 15.2 x 17.8 cm |
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| 1973 The Art Gallery oil on canvas 48.9 x 59.1 cm Tate Gallery, London |
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| 1973 Tiddlers study pencil, crayon and watercolour, squared 18.5c x 14.0 cm |
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| 1974 Tiddlers oil on canvas 76.5 x 64 cm |
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| 1974 Beauty Queens study pencil & watercolour on paper, squared 12.7 x 15.9 cm The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art, London |
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| 1974 Beauty Queens oil on canvas 41 x 51 cm The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art, London |
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| 1974 Feeding the Seagulls oil on canvas 77 x 66 cm Reading Museum, UK |
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| 1974 In the Park study pencil and watercolour, squared 31.2 x 44 cm |
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| 1974 Siesta study pencil and watercolour, squared 14 x 17.1 cm |
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| 1974 Siesta oil on canvas 40 x 50.5 cm |
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| 1974 The Beggars study pencil, squared 29.3 x 15.2 cm |
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| 1974 The Beggars pencil and watercolour 47.0 x 27.9 cm |
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| 1974 The Model study watercolour and pencil squared (size not given) |
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| 1974 The Pet oil on canvas 50.8 x 40.8 cm |
