Sir Ernst Hans Josef Gombrich

by R.B. Kitaj
pastel and charcoal, 1986
26 5/8 in. x 22 3/4 in. (676 mm x 578 mm)
Commissioned, 1986
Primary Collection
NPG 5892

Sitterback to top

Sir Ernst Hans Josef Gombrich (1909-2001), Art historian. Sitter in 9 portraits.

Artistback to top

R.B. Kitaj (1932-2007), Painter. Artist of 4 portraits, Sitter in 6 portraits.

This portraitback to top

The portrait was drawn during five sittings, each lasting about an hour.

Linked publicationsback to top

Rogers, Malcolm, Master Drawings from the National Portrait Gallery, 1993 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 August to 23 October 1994), p. 197
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 252

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

On Paper: Portraits of Writers (27 June 2012 - 3 March 2013)
Icons and Idols: Commissioning Contemporary Portraits (2 March 2006 - 18 June 2006)

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1986back to top

Current affairs

Hampton Court Palace is devastated by fire. Much of the third floor and the roof of the building were destroyed, although, thanks to the courage of the fire fighters, only one painting and one piece of furniture were ruined.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, marries Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey.

Art and science

Poems on the Underground, the brainchild of American writer Judith Chernaik, is launched by London Underground. A rolling programme of poems is displayed in tube train carriages, bringing contemporary and classic poetry to commuters.
The Independent Newspaper is first published.
Artists, Gilbert and George win the Turner Prize.

International

An explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power station leads to nuclear meltdown in the reactor and causes massive nuclear contamination over Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, western Europe, the UK and Ireland, and even North America. The 2005 Chenobyl Forum attributed 56 direct deaths to the disaster and estimated that 9,000 people may die from some form of cancer as a result of exposure to radiation.

Tell us more back to top

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