Goneril (Costume Design for 'King Lear')
About this artwork
In 1953, Colquhoun was commissioned to design the costumes and sets for George Devine’s production of King Lear at Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon. Colquhoun’s spare, almost abstract set design, which contrasted with the vivid colour and rich fabrics of his costumes, received mixed reactions from the press. This costume sketch is for Goneril, Lear’s first-born daughter who is married to Albany. After she declares her undying love for her father, Lear gives her part of his kingdom. Privately, however, she disowns him as a fool. Colquhoun’s costumes seem to have used colour as an identifier of character – Goneril’s costumes all contain blue.
Updated before 2020
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artist:Robert Colquhoun (1914 - 1962) Scottish
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title:Goneril (Costume Design for 'King Lear')
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date created:1953
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materials:Gouache, gold paint and pencil on paper, mounted on board
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measurements:Paper: 45.20 x 25.60 cm (Mounted on board: 49.50 x 31.00 cm)
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object type:
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credit line:Presented by the Estate of the Rev. Professor Moelwyn Merchant 1998
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accession number:GMA 4217
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gallery:
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subject:
Robert Colquhoun
Robert Colquhoun
Colquhoun was born in Kilmarnock. He studied at Glasgow School of Art from 1933 to 1938, where he met Robert MacBryde. The two immediately formed a close friendship and became known as 'the two Roberts'. In 1944 they moved to London, where they were drawn into the Neo-Romantic group, finding a...