AN ENGLISH CUBIST

WILLIAM ROBERTS:

News

Illustrations © The Estate of John David Roberts.

The News (aka Public Library), 1941

[Last revised 20 September 2026]

William Roberts at auction

In the Bonhams online sale of modern British and Irish art on 6–15 July, WR's study for Germans in Constantinople 1916 was unsold (estimate £3,000–£6,000):

Germans in Constantinople – study, 1916

In the Bonhams sale of modern British and Irish art on 24 June, WR's c.1916–17 drawing A Sacrifice in the Rain sold for :

A Sacrifice in the Rain, c.1916–17

In the Roseberys London sale of modern British and 20th century art on 25 March, WR's watercolour The Swing from c.1942 sold for £6,560:

The Swing, c.1942

In the Roseberys London sale of prints and multiples on 18 February, a first impression of WR's c.1925 etching of his son John sold for £1,181:

John, c.1925

In the Mellors & Kirk fine art, antiques and collectors sale on 13 January, WR's watercolour The Beach c.1957 sold for £11,592:

The Beach, c.1957

In the Bonhams online sale of modern British and Irish art on 17–26 November, WR's study for Germans in Constantinople 1916 was unsold (estimate £6,000–£8,000):

Germans in Constantinople – study, 1916

New exhibitions featuring William Roberts

The following works by Roberts are on show in public galleries in the UK:

• The Gas Chamber 1918 is on show at the Imperial War Museum, London.
• The Cinema 1920 is on show in the 'Walk through British Art' display at Tate Britain.

The Cinema, 1920

• The Happy Family 1924 is on show at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Bournemouth.
• Dressmakers c.1931 is on show at the Victoria Art Gallery, Bath.
• Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple 1925 is believed to be on display at the Ferens Art Gallery, Hull.
• John Maynard Keynes and Lydia Lopokova 1932 and Helen (aka Helen Brook) c.1934 are on display at the National Portrait Gallery.
• The Family 1934 is believed to be on display at Leeds Art Gallery.
• Fishermen 1968 is show at the Gibberd Gallery, Harlow.

The information above is believed to be accurate, but it would probably be worth checking with the galleries before making a special trip to any of them. Please click here for a list of other works by Roberts in public collections, which can usually be viewed by appointment.

Virtual exhibitions

The old Gallery page on this website has been replaced by a new page containing links to a selection of virtual exhibitions of works by Roberts on specific themes: Some Early and Cubist Work: 1913–16, The Art World, Music and Dance, Family Life, Telling Stories (narrative pictures), Sport and Recreation, The Life on the Streets, Portraits, and An Artist and His Family.