Ralph Vaughan Williams
7 of 34 portraits of Ralph Vaughan Williams
Photograph © National Portrait Gallery, London
Ralph Vaughan Williams
by David McFall
bronze head, 1958, based on a work of 1956
12 1/2 in. (318 mm) high
Purchased, 1958
Primary Collection
NPG 4088
This portraitback to top
The sculptor, David McFall, described his experience in sculpting this portrait at Vaughan Williams's home: 'The hall at 10 Hanover Terrace contains the Epstein bronze of V.W. - quite an intimidating sight to another sculptor and more especially to myself, as I well knew the technical brio of the modelling of this head. Shown into the composer's study I felt an intruder with my bucket of wet clay and bust peg. There were no time-wasting preliminaries. V.W. declared his attitude with a peremptory sweep of his hand - 'I'm not 'sitting' - you must make the best of it young man.' That was that.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 631
Placesback to top
- Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (sitter's home, 10 Hanover Terrace, Regent's Park, London)
Events of 1956back to top
Current affairs
The first supermarket opens in Britain. Inspired by the new innovation in America, Jack Cohen opened his first Tesco supermarket in Essex.The First Clean Air Act is passed in response to the 'Pea Soup' smog over London.
Art and science
Pop Art is seen for the first time in the This is Tomorrow exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery. The exhibition included Richard Hamilton's iconic collage: What is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing?John Osborne's play Look Back in Anger opens at the Royal Court Theatre, introducing the phrase 'Angry young man' to describe the new movement of gritty, post-war realism in literature.
International
The Suez Crisis rocked Eden's premiership and marked the decline of British world power and influence in favour of America. In 1956 President Nasser of Egypt nationalised the Suez canal. Although Britain and France, who had owned the canal since the 19th century, invaded Egypt, they were soon persuaded to withdraw by US President Eisenhower who disapproved of the occupation.Comments back to top
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