John Gielgud; Sir Ralph Richardson
7 of 123 portraits of John Gielgud
John Gielgud; Sir Ralph Richardson
by Arnold Newman
bromide print, 1978
11 3/8 in. x 12 3/8 in. (289 mm x 314 mm)
Given by The Sunday Times, 1980
Primary Collection
NPG P150(41)
Sittersback to top
- Sir John Gielgud (1904-2000), Actor and theatre director. Sitter in 123 portraits. Identify
- Sir Ralph David Richardson (1902-1983), Actor. Sitter in 42 portraits. Identify
Artistback to top
- Arnold Newman (1918-2006), Photographer. Artist or producer of 62 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.
This portraitback to top
Gielgud and Richardson were photographed by Newman as part of a project for an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, The Great British. Newman had wanted to photograph the two actors since seeing them together in Pinter's No Man's Land in 1975. The photograph was taken in an alleyway at the side of the Duke of York's Theatre following a convivial lunch at the Garrick Club.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Perry, George, The Great British: Photographs by Arnold Newman, 1979 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 30 November 1979 - 11 May 1980), p. 67
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 245
Placesback to top
- Place made and portrayed: United Kingdom: England, London (alleyway, outside Duke of York's Theatre, St Martin's Lane, London)
Events of 1978back to top
Current affairs
The country is brought to a virtual standstill as workers in the private and public sector strike over the government's decision to restrict wage increases. As more workers joined the strikes rubbish piled up in the streets, petrol stations ran short, and storage space had to be hired for unburied coffins. The period became known as the 'winter of discontent'.Art and science
Louise Brown from Oldham in Greater Manchester becomes the world's first 'test-tube baby'. The 'in vitro' fertilisation procedure was a scientific breakthrough that has given thousands of infertile couples the opportunity to conceive.Iris Murdoch wins the Booker prize with her novel. The Sea, the Sea.
International
Karol Józef Wojtyla becomes Pope John Paul II. He was the only Polish Pope and the first non-Italian Pontiff since the 16th century. During his 26-year pontificate, John Paul was recognised for his efforts to reach out to other religions and his fight against poverty and oppression. He has also, however, been criticised for his conservative attitudes towards divorce, contraception, homosexual marriage and the ordination of women priests.Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.