Leonard Rosoman: Painting Theatre

Interesting exhibition at the Pallant House Gallery looking at paintings by Leonard Rosoman of John Osbourne’s controversial play “A Patriot for Me”.

When the play was performed at the Royal Court in 1965 Rosoman was so fascinated by it and its exploration of gay life that he went every night for a week to draw. Three years later he revisited the drawings to create this series of paintings.


The pictures were colourful and vibrant and captured the excitement of this show performed at a time when attitudes to sexuality and censorship were changing. I loved the two of a scene of a drag ball one of which captures the moment as the curtain rises on the stage full of colourful characters. They were shown with studies for the individual characters.

I was interested to spot that 11 of the 12 pictures were bought by john Osbourne and the 12th by Dirk Bogarde.


 
Closed on 29 April 2018

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