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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).
Image: © Estate of Ceri Richards. All Rights Reserved. DACS 224/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
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
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