John Gielgud as Richard II in 'Richard of Bordeaux'

1 portrait of John Gielgud

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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John Gielgud as Richard II in 'Richard of Bordeaux'

by Yevonde
Vivex colour print, 1933
14 5/8 in. x 9 1/2 in. (373 mm x 242 mm)
Given by Yevonde, 1971
Photographs Collection
NPG x11658

On display at The Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Sitterback to top

  • Sir John Gielgud (1904-2000), Actor and theatre director. Sitter in 123 portraits.

Artistback to top

This portraitback to top

Playing Richard II in Godon Daviot's romantic chronicle, Gielgud found himself the star and director of a huge popular hit which ran for over a year at the New Theatre in St Martin's Lane. The production marked the first time he worked with the pioneering design team, Motley.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Clare Freestone, Yevonde: Life and Colour, 2023 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 22 June to 15 October 2023), p. 95

Events of 1933back to top

Current affairs

Sir Norman Angell is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Angell was recognised for his book, Europe's Optical Illusion (or The Great Illusion) first published in 1910 and updated in 1933, which argued that war between modern powers was futile as neither the looser or victor would gain economically from it.

Art and science

British Art embraces abstraction with the establishment of 'Unit 1', the first group of British Artists dedicated to producing abstract art. The critic Herbert Read formed the group by bringing together the artists Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Paul Nash and the architect, Wells Coates.
The Duveen Wing extension at the National Portrait Gallery is opened by King George V.

International

The Nazi party comes to power in Germany as part of a coalition government with Hitler as Chancellor. Over the next year, the party consolidated its position through the Enabling Act (allowing them to pass legislation without the support of the coalition), by banning and purging opposition, and by making Hitler Führer in 1934: granting him the combined powers of Chancellor and President.

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