SIR ROBIN PHILIPSON R.A., P.R.S.A., F.R.S.A., R.S.W., R.G.I., D.Litt., L.L.D. (SCOTTISH 1916-1992) §
CATHEDRAL
£9,375
Scottish Paintings & Sculpture
Auction: Evening Sale: 09 December 2021 | From 18:00
Description
Signed, oil on canvas
Dimensions
91cm x 61cm (36in x 24in)
Provenance
Footnote
Exhibited: Browse and Darby, London, Philipson Exhibition 1993, no.3
Roger Bilcliffe, Glasgow
Note: This painting dates from 1957.
Philipson's images of cathedrals are amongst the most celebrated of his works. This major theme in his oeuvre is thought to have been inspired by holidays in France. He explained 'what impressed me about cathedrals like Rouen and Amiens was the powerful window tracery seen from outside and the sense of ascending.' (as quoted in Philip Long, Robin Philipson 1916-1992, Edinburgh 1999, p.15).
Cathedral is one of the earliest paintings exploring this key subject matter. Elizabeth Cumming has written that the cathedral series 'opened up a new way of working and painting. Although familiar with, and indeed to an extent inspired by, Monet's celebrated studies of Rouen cathedral, Robin wanted to cut his own cloth and find new meaning and expression for a traditional subject. Initial studies of the formal architecture of French cathedrals, and especially Gothic window tracery viewed from the exterior, gave way gradually to an interest in the glass itself. Interiors were at least as dynamic and he produced a number of rose window paintings which were entrancing works.' (Elizabeth Cumming, Robin Philipson, Bristol 2018, p. 44).
Examples of Robinson's cathedral paintings are held in multiple public collections, including those of the National Galleries of Scotland, Glasgow Life (Glasgow Museums) and the Government Art Collection.