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  5. William Roberts (painter)

Deaths on January 20

1980Jan, 20

William Roberts (painter)

William Roberts, English soldier and painter (b. 1895)
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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Events on 1980

  • 26Jan

    Egypt

    Israel and Egypt establish diplomatic relations.
  • 2Feb

    United States Congress

    Reports surface that the FBI is targeting allegedly corrupt Congressmen in the Abscam operation.
  • 10Jun

    Nelson Mandela

    The African National Congress in South Africa publishes a call to fight from their imprisoned leader Nelson Mandela.
  • 29Jul

    Islamic Revolution

    Iran adopts a new "holy" flag after the Islamic Revolution.
  • 9Oct

    14th Dalai Lama

    Pope John Paul II shakes hands with the Dalai Lama during a private audience in Vatican City.

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