Born into a working-class family in the East End of London, William Roberts (1895–1980) was one of the brilliant generation of artists who studied at the Slade in the first decades of the 20th Century up to the First World War. In 1913 he joined Roger Fry's Omega Workshops but followed Wyndham Lewis with the split and the formation of the Vorticist group. He later noted his approach as that of an 'English Cubist'. He was a war artist in both world wars. Roberts' principal interests were in large figure groupings, and his paintings are always crowded places, teeming with life. Developed in association with Grant Waters, Art Detective Group Leader: South East England, East England and the Midlands.
Artists featured in this Curation:William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
54 artworks
Storyline Album Showcase
-
The Vorticists at the Restaurant de la Tour Eiffel: Spring, 1915
The Vorticists at the Restaurant de la Tour Eiffel: Spring, 1915 1961–2
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 182.9 x W 213.4 cm
Tate
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Tate
-
The Return of Ulysses
The Return of Ulysses c.1913
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 30.5 x W 45.7 cm
Nottingham City Museums & Galleries
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Nottingham City Museums & Galleries
-
Bond Street
Bond Street c.1916
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Pencil & watercolour on paper
H 35.6 x W 25.4 cm
The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
-
A Shell Dump, France
A Shell Dump, France 1918
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 182.8 x W 317.5 cm
IWM (Imperial War Museums)
Image credit: IWM (Imperial War Museums)
-
The Dancers
The Dancers 1919
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 152 x W 116.5 cm
Glasgow Life Museums
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Glasgow Life Museums
-
The Diners
The Diners 1919
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 152.4 x W 83.2 cm
Tate
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Tate
-
The Cinema
The Cinema 1920
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 91.4 x W 76.2 cm
Tate
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Tate
-
At the Hippodrome
At the Hippodrome 1921
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 95 x W 90.6 cm
Leicester Museums and Galleries
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Leicester Museums and Galleries
-
'Feeds Round!': Stable Time in the Wagon Lines, France
'Feeds Round!': Stable Time in the Wagon Lines, France 1922
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 51.2 x W 61.2 cm
IWM (Imperial War Museums)
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: IWM (Imperial War Museums)
-
The Farm (Country Scene)
The Farm (Country Scene) 1922
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 51 x W 61.5 cm
The Hepworth Wakefield
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: The Hepworth Wakefield
-
The Dance Club (The Jazz Party)
The Dance Club (The Jazz Party) 1923
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 76.2 x W 106.6 cm
Leeds Museums and Galleries
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Bridgeman Images
-
Study for 'Bank Holiday in the Park'
Study for 'Bank Holiday in the Park' 1923
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Charcoal on paper with green wash, squared up for transfer in red ink
H 25.4 x W 20.3 cm
Museum & Art Swindon
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Museum & Art Swindon
-
The Happy Family
The Happy Family 1924
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 50 x W 40 cm
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
-
The Char
The Char 1924
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 43.2 x W 33 cm
Tate
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Tate
-
Christ Driving the Moneychangers from the Temple
Christ Driving the Moneychangers from the Temple 1925
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 47.2 x W 53.3 cm
Ferens Art Gallery
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Bridgeman Images
-
Deposition from the Cross
Deposition from the Cross c.1926
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 49.5 x W 59.1 cm
Tate
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Tate
-
The Rhine Boat
The Rhine Boat c.1928
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 50.8 x W 40.6 cm
National Galleries of Scotland
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: National Galleries of Scotland
-
The Paddock (Jockeys)
The Paddock (Jockeys) 1928
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 122.5 x W 92.5 cm
Bradford Museums and Galleries
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Bradford Museums and Galleries
-
Sawing Wood
Sawing Wood c.1930
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 46 x W 61.1 cm
National Museums NI
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: National Museums NI
-
The Dressmakers
The Dressmakers 1931
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 50.8 x W 40.6 cm
Victoria Art Gallery
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Victoria Art Gallery
-
Les Routiers
Les Routiers c.1931
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 101.7 x W 76.3 cm
National Museums NI
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: National Museums NI
-
The Ballet Dancer
The Ballet Dancer 1932
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Pencil on paper
H 17.8 x W 19.7 cm
The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
-
The Ballet
The Ballet c.1932
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 40.8 x W 45.6 cm
National Galleries of Scotland
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: National Galleries of Scotland
-
Masks
Masks 1934
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Pencil on paper
H 50.8 x W 63.5 cm
The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
-
Playground (The Gutter)
Playground (The Gutter) 1934–5
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 143.2 x W 159.4 cm
Tate
© Tate. Image credit: Tate
-
Spanish Dancers
Spanish Dancers 1935
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Pencil & crayon on paper, squared for transfer
H 24 x W 24 cm
The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
-
The Palms Foretell
The Palms Foretell 1937
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 99.5 x W 79.5 cm
Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
-
Tea Shop
Tea Shop 1938
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 82.5 x W 76.2 cm
Atkinson Art Gallery Collection
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Atkinson Art Gallery Collection
-
Punting on the Cherwell
Punting on the Cherwell 1939
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 62.3 x W 54.5 cm
Jerwood Collection
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Jerwood Collection
-
News
News 1941
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Gouache on paper
H 34.5 x W 52 cm
The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
-
The Demolition Squad
The Demolition Squad 1941
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 56 x W 81 cm
City of London Corporation
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: City of London Corporation
-
The Control Room
The Control Room 1941
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 59.5 x W 70 cm
Salford Museum & Art Gallery
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Salford Museum & Art Gallery
-
Soldiers on a Train
Soldiers on a Train c.1942
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Watercolour on paper, squared for transfer
H 13.3 x W 18.1 cm
The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
-
Munitions Factory
Munitions Factory 1940s
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 81 x W 122 cm
Salford Museum & Art Gallery
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Salford Museum & Art Gallery
-
Cantering to the Post
Cantering to the Post 1949
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 61 x W 50.8 cm
Tate
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Tate
-
The Temptation of St Anthony
The Temptation of St Anthony 1950–1
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 152.7 x W 114.9 cm
Tate
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Tate
-
The Goats
The Goats 1952
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 152.2 x W 119.3 cm
Hatton Gallery
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Hatton Gallery
-
Revolt in the Desert
Revolt in the Desert 1952
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 244.7 x W 144.8 cm
Southampton City Art Gallery
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Southampton City Art Gallery
-
Trooping the Colour
Trooping the Colour 1958–9
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 182.9 x W 274.3 cm
Tate
© Tate. Image credit: Tate
-
The Swimming Bath
The Swimming Bath c.1959
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Pencil & watercolour on paper
H 50.8 x W 21.5 cm
The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
-
Study for 'TV'
Study for 'TV' 1960
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Pencil & watercolour on paper, lightly squared for transfer
H 25.4 x W 45.7 cm
Jerwood Collection
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Jerwood Collection
-
T. V.
T. V. 1960
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 101.7 x W 183 cm
Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
-
The Common Market
The Common Market 1963
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 168 x W 214 cm
Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Bridgeman Images
-
The Lake
The Lake 1964
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 190.5 x W 129.5 cm
Tate
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Tate
-
The Seaside
The Seaside c.1966
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 61 x W 76.2 cm
Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre, London
-
Combat
Combat before 1966
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 60.1 x W 76.2 cm
Royal Academy of Arts
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Royal Academy of Arts
-
Saturday Night (At the Local)
Saturday Night (At the Local) 1970
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 76.2 x W 61 cm
The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
-
Demolition
Demolition 1970
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Pencil on paper, squared for transfer
H 18.5 x W 13 cm
The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
-
The Art Gallery
The Art Gallery 1973
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 48.9 x W 59.1 cm
Tate
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Tate
-
Feeding the Seagulls
Feeding the Seagulls 1974
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 77 x W 66 cm
Reading Museum
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Reading Museum
-
Study for 'Beauty Queens'
Study for 'Beauty Queens' c.1974
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Pencil & watercolour on paper, squared for transfer
H 12.7 x W 15.9 cm
The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
-
Beauty Queens
Beauty Queens 1974
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 41 x W 51 cm
The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: The Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art
-
The Shooting Party
The Shooting Party 1976
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 50.5 x W 40.5 cm
Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
-
Self-Portrait Wearing a Cap
Self-Portrait Wearing a Cap 1931
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
Oil on canvas
H 55.9 x W 35.9 cm
Tate
© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Tate
-
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)