THEME

Nude Figures

At the Slade, drawing from the nude was an intense course and Richard won a prize for his work. However, when left to himself, his nudes were often somewhat attenuated and softened.

When he started painting beach scenes, naked figures would often appear among fully clothed groups... the play of shapes and tones varied the surface and often gave liveliness and humour as well as an occasional gravitas.

It is the presence of nudes, overt and hidden, that often adds the element of strangeness to the paintings in the set we call 'Strange Pictures'.

Mother and Baby (1946)

Mother and Baby (1946)

The woman and child are very sculptural, an effect enhanced by the grisaille painting. It is also quite a tender image.

The Shower Bath (1951-52)

The Shower Bath (1951-52)

This picture is smaller than one might think. The amazing mahogany shower structure frames the main figure in a lovely soft light.

Outlook Through a Window (1984)

Outlook Through a Window (1984)

This strange picture of an empty room with the two nude figures feels quite claustrophobic with the lack of sky outside. The usual case of the interior being darker than the outside is reversed.

154 works in this theme:

Figure

Figure (1917)

Oil? on thin card

Carving of Youth's Torso

Carving of Youth's Torso (1925)

Wood on alabaster base

Carving of a Woman

Carving of a Woman (c1925)

Wood

Sailors and Other Figures Carousing by a Quay

Sailors and Other Figures Carousing by a Quay (1925)

Oil on canvas

Seated Male Nude

Seated Male Nude (1925)

Pencil on paper

Standing Male Nude

Standing Male Nude (1925)

Red chalk, black chalk and pencil on paper

Standing Male Nude, back view

Standing Male Nude, back view (1925)

Pencil on paper

Two Standing Male Nudes

Two Standing Male Nudes (1925)

Black chalk and red chalk on paper

Mother and Children, Day at the Beach

Mother and Children, Day at the Beach (1926)

Oil on board

Nude Woman with Bird

Nude Woman with Bird (1926)

Oil on canvas

Figure in Elm

Figure in Elm (c1926)

Elm wood

Carving of Woman's Torso

Carving of Woman's Torso (c1926)

Wood - possibly elm

Boy with Jug

Boy with Jug (1920s)
The Three Graces

The Three Graces (1927)

Pencil and red crayon on paper

Nude Boy in a Bedroom

Nude Boy in a Bedroom (1928)

Pencil tinted with watercolour on paper

Betty and Paul

Betty and Paul (1928)

Pencil on paper

The Charlady Bows

The Charlady Bows (1928)

Pencil on paper

Clowns by the Sea

Clowns by the Sea (c1929)

Pencil on paper

The Pool in the Wood

The Pool in the Wood (1929)

Pencil on paper

The New Dress

The New Dress (1929)

Pencil on paper

The Unwilling Listener

The Unwilling Listener (1930)

Oil on paper

Figurehead

Figurehead (1931)

Tempura on board

Model and Cat

Model and Cat (c1943)
The Man with a Sword

The Man with a Sword (1946)
Mother and Baby

Mother and Baby (1946)

Oil on canvas laid on panel

Beach Scene

Beach Scene (1951)

Oil on canvas

Trying on Hats

Trying on Hats (1951)

Oil on panel

The Return

The Return (c1952)
The Shower Bath

The Shower Bath (1951-52)

Oil on panel

The Pink Room

The Pink Room (1954 - 58)

Oil on canvas