Study for ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ 1930

Curator: This is William Roberts’ Study for ‘Antony and Cleopatra’, part of the Tate collection. It gives a unique glimpse into his process. Editor: It’s fascinating! I’m immediately struck by the almost robotic, stylized figures. It feels quite detached, despite the dramatic scene. Curator: Roberts often used a grid system, as we see here, to plan his compositions, a technique that aligns with early 20th-century movements emphasizing industrialization. Editor: Right, the grid hints at mass production, contrasting sharply with the individualistic, tragic narrative. The labor involved is clear; you see the artist grappling with form, planning production. Curator: It's also interesting how Roberts reinterprets a classical story through a modern lens, reflecting the anxieties and aesthetics of his time. The play was a social critique, so it's very fitting. Editor: The stark materials, paper and pencil, further emphasize this contrast. It's a study, a working drawing, not a finished "masterpiece", yet it conveys so much. Curator: Absolutely. Seeing this preparatory work reminds us of the intellectual and cultural context shaping even historical narratives. Editor: It highlights how even in depicting grand tragedy, the means of creation and the social underpinnings are essential to understanding the work.