Homage to Beethoven

RICHARDS, Ceri Giraldus (Education: Swansea School of Art; Royal College of Art Work: Cardiff College of Art; Chelsea School of Art; Royal College of Art; Slade School of Art Awards: CBE, 1960; Hon. D.Litt University of Wales, 1961; Hon.Fellow of the RCA Commissions: stained glass windows for Liverpool Cathedral and Derby Cathedral The landscape of the Gower was a strong source of imagery - much of his work was also inspired by poetry and music: a crowning achievement was the series of paintings and construction on the theme of Debussy's La Cathedrale Engloutie (The Sunken Cathedral))

Richards was deeply affected by the death of Dylan Thomas in 1953 and produced a series of works in homage to the dead poet. This allegorical composition celebrates another of the artist's heroes, Ludwig van Beethoven. It juxtaposes two favourite themes. One of these is a musing woman, turning from a piano and a French horn to a sheet of music. The other is a pair of energetic galloping horses, ultimately derived from 'The Lion Hunt' by the French Romantic painter Eugéne Delacroix (1798-1863).

Collection Area

Art

Item Number

NMW A 591

Creation/Production

RICHARDS, Ceri Giraldus

Date: 1953

Acquisition

Gift, 1956

Given by The Contemporary Art Society

Measurements

Height (cm): 127.3

Width (cm): 102.4

Height (in): 50

Width (in): 40

Techniques

canvas

Material

oil

Location

In store

Bronze Age Gold from Wales