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William Roberts

1895–1980

Distinguished Visitors at the Tate 1965
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In Tate Britain

Historic and Modern British Art

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117 artworks by William Roberts
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Biography

William Patrick Roberts (5 June 1895 – 20 January 1980) was a British artist.

In the years before the First World War 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.

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London Group Vorticism Post-impressionism 2 more art terms …

Artworks

Left Right
  • The Char

    William Roberts
    1924
  • Self-Portrait Wearing a Cap

    William Roberts
    1931
  • Cantering to the Post

    William Roberts
    1949
  • ‘The Withered Root’ by Rhys Davies

    William Roberts
    1927
    View by appointment
  • The Horse Dealers

    William Roberts
    1955
  • The Cockatoos

    William Roberts
    1958
  • The Diners

    William Roberts
    1919
  • Athletes Exercising in a Gymnasium

    William Roberts
    1920
See all 142

Artist as subject

  • Self-Portrait Wearing a Cap

    William Roberts
    1931
  • The Vorticists at the Restaurant de la Tour Eiffel: Spring, 1915

    William Roberts
    1961–2
  • Portrait of a Man Lighting a Pipe

    William Roberts
    1948–9
  • Study for ‘Homage à Stulik’

    William Roberts
    c.1948
    View by appointment
  • Study for ‘The Vorticists at the Restaurant de la Tour Eiffel - Spring 1915’

    William Roberts
    c.1961–2
    View by appointment

Sketches, letters, etc.

  • ‘Self-Portrait’ by William Roberts

    William Roberts
    1949
    View by appointment

Related art terms

London Group Vorticism Post-Impressionism Group X Bloomsbury Group

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