Reg Butler

Study for Head of Watcher

1951–2

© The estate of Reg Butler

License this image

Not on display
Artist
Reg Butler 1913–1981
Medium
Graphite, crayon and watercolour on paper
Dimensions
Support: 267 x 197 mm
frame: 500 x 947 x 32 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Presented by the Contemporary Art Society 1957
Reference
A01062

Display caption

These drawings were made as preliminary sketches for Butler's monument to 'The Unknown Political Prisoner', a tower designed to commemorate those who had been imprisoned or lost their lives in the cause of freedom. The drawings represent the heads of three women, described by the artist as witnesses who remember the prisoner. Butler envisaged that the viewer would be 'drawn by their gaze into contemplation of the upper vastness of the tower.'

Gallery label, September 2004

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.

Geometry of Fear

Explore

You might like

Reg Butler, ‘Study for Head of Watcher’ 1951–2

Reg Butler Study for Head of Watcher

1951–2
A01063
Reg Butler, ‘Study for Head of Watcher’ 1951–2

Reg Butler Study for Head of Watcher

1951–2
A01061
Reg Butler, ‘Working Model for ‘The Unknown Political Prisoner’’ 1955–6

Reg Butler Working Model for ‘The Unknown Political Prisoner’

1955–6
T02332
Reg Butler, ‘Third Maquette for ‘The Unknown Political Prisoner’’ 1951–2

Reg Butler Third Maquette for ‘The Unknown Political Prisoner’

1951–2
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art L02991
Reg Butler, ‘First Maquette for ‘The Unknown Political Prisoner’’ 1951–2

Reg Butler First Maquette for ‘The Unknown Political Prisoner’

1951–2
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art L02989
Reg Butler, ‘Final Maquette for ‘The Unknown Political Prisoner’’ 1951–2

Reg Butler Final Maquette for ‘The Unknown Political Prisoner’

1951–2
L01102
Reg Butler, ‘Musée Imaginaire’ 1961–3

Reg Butler Musée Imaginaire

1961–3
T03703
Reg Butler, ‘Figure in Space’ 1962–3

Reg Butler Figure in Space

1962–3
View by appointment P06061
Reg Butler, ‘Circe Head’ 1952–3

Reg Butler Circe Head

1952–3
T03867
Reg Butler, ‘Girl’ 1953–4

Reg Butler Girl

1953–4
N06223
Reg Butler, ‘Woman’ 1949

Reg Butler Woman

1949
T03392
Reg Butler, ‘Woman’ 1949

Reg Butler Woman

1949
On display at Tate Britain part of Other Gallery Spaces N05942
Reg Butler, ‘Study for Woman Resting’ 1950

Reg Butler Study for Woman Resting

1950
T00263
Reg Butler, ‘Girl’ 1968–9

Reg Butler Girl

1968–9
View by appointment P06063
Reg Butler, ‘Tower’ 1968–9

Reg Butler Tower

1968–9
View by appointment P06064