Gallery I |
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Drawings for |
    
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Catalogue Details Gilbert Ledward RA PRBS 1888-1960 Five Roundels representing Health, Education, Building and Finance, c.1930 Pencil and wash 17 x 25.5 cms Provenance: the artist's daugther Exhibited: Fine Art Society, A Centenary Tribute 1988, no: 47 Inscribed: on top: Education/Building/Finance/Health under each roundel: Running/Education/Learning/ Tennis/Building/Architecture bottom: Diameter 2'6" The roundel motif is a feature used often in the ART DECO period. The neat circular shape is concise and simple and lends itself easily to stylised picture details. A.L. Harmon employed the roundel motif in his 4 designs for the Lobby in the Empire State Building in New York dated 1931 where each metal roundel represented the different crafts of skyscraper construction, for example, 'elevators', 'concrete', 'machines' and 'decoration'. These roundels also describe a particular theme where each circular design represents an aspect of work and leisure that together create a healthy modern lifestyle. Sport and education work hand in hand, as does the notion that right-living ensures health and success. They would have been executed for an architectural project, such as a bank or University college or business, yet to be identified. Gilbert Ledward sculpted in stone and bronze. He was Professor of Sculpture at the Royal College of Art from 1926-29 and exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1912 (elected ARA 1932 and RA in 1937). In 1930 he was appointed a member of the Faculty of Sculpture and of the Council of the British School at Rome. He was President of the Royal Society of British Sculptors from 1954-56. He is well known for his beautiful Venus fountain in Sloane Square, Chelsea, London. |