Elspet Gray; Brian Rix

1 portrait

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© estate of John Bratby / Bridgeman Art Library www.bridgemanart.com

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Elspet Gray; Brian Rix

by John Randall Bratby
oil on canvas, 1967
63 in. x 36 in. (1600 mm x 914 mm)
Purchased, 1992
Primary Collection
NPG 6159

Sittersback to top

Artistback to top

  • John Randall Bratby (1928-1992), Painter and writer; Editor-in-chief of Art Quarterly. Artist or producer of 3 portraits, Sitter in 25 portraits.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 525
  • Simon, Jacob, The Art of the Picture Frame: Artists, Patrons and the Framing of Portraits in Britain, 1997 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 8 November 1996 - 9 February 1997), p. 25, 187 Read entry

    Outer frame made by Paul Ferguson Workshop in 1992, the triangular tap section in burnished water gilding on a plum bole with the leaf overlap clearly visible, 1 1⁄ 2 inches wide. The canvas, without its Bratby battens, is fixed to the frame's backboard.

    Some artists have rejected the idea of using a frame at all, among them John Bratby, one of the leading members of the ‘kitchen sink school' of the 1950s. Many of his earlier pictures, including this portrait of the actor Brian Rix and his wife, have detailed framing instructions on the back. This portrait has been framed by the National Portrait Gallery in order to protect it, respecting Bratby's wish that any frame should avoid encroaching on the picture surface. Later in life Bratby changed his approach and took to framing his pictures in cheap mouldings.

Events of 1967back to top

Current affairs

Harold Wilson decides to devalue the pound by nearly 15% in order to ' break out from the straitjacket' of boom and bust economics. The decision was controversial and prompted Wilson to reassure the public that the 'pound in your pocket' would not be worth any less.

Art and science

The Beatles release Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, with a record sleeve designed by pop artist, Peter Blake. The band's musical experimentation and colourful new look was an example of psychedelic, and the LP is often regarded as one of the first concept albums.

International

Che Guevara is captured and executed in Bolivia. The guerrilla leader and revolutionary icon was hunted down by the CIA and captured and shot by Bolivian Special Forces. He had been leading Bolivian insurgents in an attempt to overthrow the government.

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