
Not on display
- Artist
- William Roberts 1895–1980
- Medium
- Ink and chalk on paper
- Dimensions
- Support: 305 × 460 mm
- Collection
- Tate
- Acquisition
- Purchased 1972
- Reference
- T01561
Display caption
When at the Slade School of Art between 1910 and 1913 Roberts was particulary interested in the work of fellow-pupil David Bomberg, who also made a drawing of 'The Return of Ulysses'. This is one of two known studies, both in the Tate Gallery, made by Roberts for his painting of the same title. This drawing pays more attention to naturalistic details than the other two works. However, even here, the artist seems to structure the composition with a series of diagonal lines which begin to override the narrative content of the work. Note, for example, how the limbs of the figures are simplified into a series of unrealistic, robotic shapes.
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.
Catalogue entry
William Roberts 1895-1980
T01561 Drawing for ‘The Return of Ulysses’ 1913
Inscribed ‘William Roberts’ b.l.
Ink and chalk on paper, 11 15/16x 181/16 (30.4 x 45.9).
Purchased from Anthony d’Offay (Knapping Fund)1972.
This drawing is one of two known studies by Roberts, both in the Tate Gallery, for his painting ‘The Return of Ulysses’1913 (coll. Castle Museum, Nottingham). The other study (T00878), in chalk and watercolour, is the same size but less detailed than the drawing or painting. The draughtsmanship of the drawing is more naturalistic and less angular or stylised then the other two works; the top half is squared up. The subject ‘The Return of Ulysses’ was probably set by the Slade School since there exist drawings of this title and dated 1913 by two of Roberts’ fellow students, David Bomberg, (coll. Anthony d’Offay) and Clare Winston (coll. the artist).
Published in The Tate Gallery Report 1972–1974, London 1975.
You might like
-
William Roberts ‘The Withered Root’ by Rhys Davies
1927 -
William Roberts The Return of Ulysses
1913 -
William Roberts Study for ‘Two Step’
1915 -
Sir Jacob Epstein Totem
c.1913 -
William Roberts David Choosing the Three Days’ Pestilence
1912 -
William Roberts Study for ‘The Tea Garden’
c.1928 -
William Roberts Study for ‘The Garden of Eden’
c.1926 -
William Roberts Study for ‘Susanna and the Elders’
c.1926 -
William Roberts Pimps in a Bar
c.1920–1 -
William Roberts The Poor Family
c.1923 -
William Roberts Study for ‘The Judgement of Paris’
c.1933 -
William Roberts Study for ‘The Pigeon Fanciers’
c.1928 -
William Roberts The Interruption
c.1925 -
William Roberts Study for ‘The Card Players’
c.1937–8 -
William Roberts Study for ‘The Withered Root’
c.1927