Coast Scene, Sunset

This painting was owned for a long time by Richard's friend Rhoda Bickerdike. It is still in the extended family (2026). Here is a slightly edited version of what they know about the Eurich/Bickerdike connection:

Rhoda married John Bickerdike in 1955 after his first wife Doris died.  Rhoda was an artist, and daughter of artists. Bickerdike, known as "Micky" or "Bick" among his friends and family, was a celebrated wood carver, sculptor and puppeteer.

Richard knew Bick from his time in Bradford. Their friendship, which lasted all their lives, blossomed when in 1925 Eurich joined Bickerdike at the Slade School …

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This painting was owned for a long time by Richard's friend Rhoda Bickerdike. It is still in the extended family (2026). Here is a slightly edited version of what they know about the Eurich/Bickerdike connection:

Rhoda married John Bickerdike in 1955 after his first wife Doris died.  Rhoda was an artist, and daughter of artists. Bickerdike, known as "Micky" or "Bick" among his friends and family, was a celebrated wood carver, sculptor and puppeteer.

Richard knew Bick from his time in Bradford. Their friendship, which lasted all their lives, blossomed when in 1925 Eurich joined Bickerdike at the Slade School of Art in London. Bickerdike was older, married to Doris, and already a student there (primarily interested in wood carving).  RE records that Bick introduced him to modern and non European art. Epstein, Archipenko, Gaudier Breszka, Paul Nash and Indian sculpture are mentioned.

By 1932-34 John and Doris Bickerdike and their son were known as Ebor Marionettes. John carved the wooden bodies of the puppets, Doris made their costumes - and she was also particularly good at manipulating the puppets. Their son also took part. By 1947 - and possibly several years before - they were putting on the performances in the small and picturesque old building in Chiswick known as the Guardship, which belonged to Rhoda Dawson and her sister, Mary. Rhoda was helping with the scenery and the puppets.

Sadly Doris and their son both died of cancer. While she was ill Doris asked Rhoda to look after John after her death. Rhoda and John married in 1955. Micky undertook various woodcarving work, including repair of  part of a 17th century wooden ceiling in Chiswick House and carving a wooden altarpiece for a church near Bignor in Sussex where they lived. He collaborated with Rhoda in making models of historic buildings in Africa for the museum in Accra.  After his death in 1973 Rhoda placed several highly regarded Ebor marionettes in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

You can read more about Richard's friendship with the Bickerdikes in his memoir.