Christ Driving the Moneychangers from the Temple
#SUBHEADING#William Roberts the artist#SUBHEADINGEND# William Roberts was an interesting, talented and reclusive artist; a shy retiring man who was at the centre of major art movements of his time and a friendly associate of Lawrence of Arabia. An eccentric figure obsessed with routine, yet forthcoming in defending himself from criticism. As William Roberts developed as an artist he retreated from society and always seemed to be an observer, never a participant. The cartoonish nature of his images and characters can sometimes contradict the seriousness of the subject matter and the artist himself. He led a quiet life with his wife and son; his working life lasted almost 70 years from c.1910 - 1980. He was still working when he was over 80 years old. His work celebrated life of ordinary human beings, home, work, play and war. Also portraits, satires, and works inspired by religion and mythology. He was a highly original artist. William Roberts was born shortly before the start of the Boer War, 5th June 1895, in Hackney in London. His father, Edward, was a carpenter. William showed a great talent at an early age. During the war he continued to draw, as and when he could, sending pictures back to friends and colleagues to sell, including (brother-in-law) Jacob Kramer and (poet) Ezra Pound. In later years Robert's artistic approach was a more figurative one, and in the 1920s when this painting was done, he evolved his own distinctive style of tubular shaped people arrayed in rhythmic patterns. #SUBHEADING#The Painting#SUBHEADINGEND# Christ Driving the Moneychangers from the Temple within 7 Deadly Sins exhibition thought-provoking subject matter. It depicts the beardless Christ confronting Avarice yet at the same time displaying anger himself. Christ Driving the Moneychangers from the Temple is typical plain with a simple back-drop for solid sculptural figures. In Christ Driving the Moneychangers from the Temple, William Roberts arranged the elements in the picture in strict vertical lines. Figures echoed in columns, Christ central without a beard. However, WR was to finally be accepted and his recognition by the Royal Academy meant a lot to him. In 1958 he became an Associate of the Royal Academy, getting accepted through the casting vote of the President. In 1966 he became a full member of the Royal Academy, finally accepted within the artistic establishment. #SUBHEADING#Laurence of Arabia#SUBHEADINGEND# Lawrence of Arabia was a big fan of William Roberts portraiture. His patronage provided a much needed financial boost to William Roberts during this period. Lawrence allowed the Roberts family to holiday at his cottage at Clouds Hill, in Devon. There were annual visits up until Laurence's death in 1935. Sometimes Laurence would visit them there, including his last year when he arrived on his motorbike (to be fatal) and leant books to John Roberts. #SUBHEADING#End of his Life#SUBHEADINGEND# William Robert's died quite suddenly on 20th January 1980, the year the Ferens Art Gallery purchased the painting. The artist worked until the end, the last day of his life he left on his drawing board a sketch of the donkey rides at a fair on Hampstead Heath, London.
History of the Ferens Art Gallery (part 1)
At the turn of the twentieth century Hull's art collections were housed in variety of locations. Thomas Robinson Ferens decided that a purpose built art gallery should be constructed and so work began on the Ferens Art gallery in 1926.
T. R. Ferens (part 2)
The name of Ferens is well-known throughout Hull. The city's Art Gallery bears his name, as does one of the main roads through the city, 'Ferensway'. It is quite surprising then that although he was a generous benefactor, successful businessman and M.P. in the city, he was not actually born in Hull, but in County Durham. Read on to find out more about his life.
T. R. Ferens (part 1)
The name of Ferens is well-known throughout Hull. The city's Art Gallery bears his name, as does one of the main roads through the city, 'Ferensway'. It is quite surprising then that although he was a generous benefactor, successful businessman and M.P. in the city, he was not actually born in Hull, but in County Durham. Read on to find out more about his life.
Mary Dawson Elwell oil painting
A painting simply referred to as 'interior study' by Mary Dawson Elwell. At a desk is seated an elderly man, illuminated by light falling from windows beyond our view. It is a private and intimate moment. The man's inclined back is slightly turned towards the viewer and with a pen in his right hand and a sheet of paper on the desk; he looks down at the task in hand, quietly absorbed.
'The Gyppos' by Dame Laura Knight
'The Gyypos' is one of two paintings by Dame Laura Knight which are owned by the Ferens Art Gallery. Laura Knight is perhaps most famous now as the first female Royal Academician since the original women members.
History of the Ferens Art Gallery (part 2)
The Ferens Art gallery was completed in eighteen months and opened in 1927. Read about the changes and develpments the gallery has been through from its opening to the present day.
