The Sculpture of Reg ButlerIn the post-war period, Reg Butler (1913-81) was one of the best known sculptors in the world. His Venice Biennale showing (1952) was followed in 1953 by his victory in the international competition for a 'Monument to the Unknown Political Prisoner': defeating Alexander Calder, Naum Gabo and Barbara Hepworth, among other established artists. The monument was never built, but the competition established Butler's reputation internationally and as the leading sculptor of his generation.The private passions (and obsessions) which drove Butler to stardom in the 50s seemed increasingly to isolate him in the 60s and 70s, when he spent more time developing his highly personal and meticulous technical and iconographic language. Its final form - in terms of the late bronzes - proved unpalatable to contemporary critics, and is still controversial today.The Sculpture of Reg Butler is the first book-length overview of Butler's sculpture throughout his career until his death in 1981. It catalogues and illustrates virtually all extant works. Margaret Garlake analyses the development, themes and visual and intellectual origins of the sculpture; considers why Butler has been largely ignored since the early 1960s; examines his studio practice and sculptural techniques, and assesses his work in the context of that of his contemporaries. |
Contents
INTRODUCTION | 7 |
COMPULSIONS STIMULI MODELS AND MENTORS | 29 |
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY | 97 |
Copyright | |
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Architectural Review Art Museum 1963 artists Arts Council Brausen British Council Burstow Calvocoressi Catalogue of Acquisitions collection England Exhibited Compare Cat Contemporary Arts Contemporary British Sculpture Curt Valentin 1955 dimensions unknown edition of eight Eduardo Paolozzi eight Exhibited Hanover eight Private collection England Exhibited Hanover England Exhibited Tate exh.cat Exhibited Curt Valentin Exhibited Hanover 1954 Exhibited Pierre Matisse Exhibited Tate 1983 Festival of Britain fetish Figure in Space Forged and welded Gimpel Fils 1986 Hanover Gallery Herbert Read ibid Institute of Contemporary J. B. Speed Art letter to Butler Literature Melville London County Council Maquette Modern Art Monument Museum of Art Notebook painted bronzes Painting and Sculpture Pierre Matisse 1962 Pierre Matisse Gallery Private collection England Reg Butler sheet and wire Speed Art Museum St Catherine Study for Girl Tate Gallery Torso Unknown Political Prisoner Venice Biennale Venus of Lespugue welded iron Whitechapel Art Gallery Woman