AN ENGLISH CUBIST

WILLIAM ROBERTS:

The Kaiser Rehearsing the Entry into Nish, and study

Illustration © The Estate of John David Roberts. Reproduced with the permission of the William Roberts Society. Catalogue information based on the catalogue raisonné by David Cleall. For this and full details of the exhibitions cited, see the links below. Any auction prices quoted may not include all fees and taxes, such as VAT and Artist's Resale Right charges.

The Kaiser Rehearsing the Entry into Nish, study

(recto) The Kaiser Rehearsing the Entry into Nish, 1916
Brown and black ink and wash, 17.8 cm x 13 cm
Inscribed with title.

(verso) Study for same subject reversed (traced through), 1916
Pencil, 17.8 cm x 13 cm

In January 1916 Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany was entertained in the Serbian city of Nish by King Frederick of Bulgaria, the Serbian army having been defeated by the Austrians, Bulgarians and Germans. The Kaiser was greeted by a mock-Roman salutation: 'Ave Imperator, Caesar et Rex. Victor et gloriosus es. Nissa antiqua omnis Orientis populi te salutant redemptorem, ferentem oppressis prosperitatem atque salutem' – 'Hail Emperor, Caesar and King: You are victor and glorious. In ancient Nish all the peoples of the east salute you, bringer of prosperity to the oppressed.'
PROVENANCE: Estate of John David Roberts (held in Tate store, 2014)
EXHIBITION HISTORY: Gillian Jason Gallery 1992