Robert Medley
Encyclopedia
Charles Robert Owen Medley CBE
, RA, (19 December 1905 - 20 October 1994), always known as Robert Medley, was an English painter who worked in both abstract and figurative styles, and a theatre designer. He held several teaching positions, in London and Rome.
, Holt, Norfolk
(1919-1923), the Byam Shaw School of Art in 1923-1924, Royal Academy Schools in 1924, at the Slade School of Fine Art
in 1924-1926, and at Paris
in 1926-1928.
At school Medley was the friend of W. H. Auden
, and first suggested that Auden might write poetry (although Medley did not know at the time that he had this effect). As described in his memoir, Drawn from the Life, in his early years he believed he was heterosexual (and therefore did not understand Auden's erotic intentions toward him until they spent a single weekend together after both had left school). Until he was seduced at 19 (he recalled later), "I was still under the illusion that I was entirely heterosexual."
, with whom he lived for the rest of Doone's life. In 1932 he and Doone cofounded the Group Theatre (London)
, for which Medley served as artistic director, either designing the Group's productions or supervising designs that included masks by Henry Moore
. Medley and Doone invited Auden to write plays for the Group, and through Auden Medley met Stephen Spender
, Louis MacNeice
, and others who became associated with the Group.
From 1929 to1934 he worked with Duncan Grant
and Vanessa Bell
, and he exhibited paintings with the London Group from 1929. His first solo show was at the London Artists' Association in 1932. During the 1930s he worked mostly in various avant-garde styles. He had a painting in the International Surrealist Exhibition in London in 1936. In 1937 Medley founded the Artists' International Association
(AIA), which promoted socialist and avant-garde art. In 1938 he chaired a widely-noticed debate between Realists
and Surrealists organized by the AIA.
During the Second World War Medley served as an official war artist.
He taught at the Chelsea Art School (now part of the Chelsea College of Art and Design
) in 1945-49, at the Slade School of Fine Art
in 1958-66, and as chairman of the faculty of painting at the British School in Rome in 1966-77.
In the 1950s he was one of the first English painters who turned to abstraction, but in later years returned to figurative painting. These last paintings are the most widely-respected of his works.
A retrospective exhibition was held at Whitechapel Art Gallery in 1963.
In 1982 he was appointed CBE
. In 1985 he was elected to the Royal Academy
. A centenary tribute at James Hyman Fine Art (a London gallery) in 2005 was accompanied by a catalogue with essays about Medley's work.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, RA, (19 December 1905 - 20 October 1994), always known as Robert Medley, was an English painter who worked in both abstract and figurative styles, and a theatre designer. He held several teaching positions, in London and Rome.
Early life
Charles Robert Owen Medley was born on 19 December 1905 in London, the son of Charles Medley, a copyright lawyer who was friends with many writers of the day. He was educated at Gresham's SchoolGresham's School
Gresham’s School is an independent coeducational boarding school in Holt in North Norfolk, England, a member of the HMC.The school was founded in 1555 by Sir John Gresham as a free grammar school for forty boys, following King Henry VIII's dissolution of the Augustinian priory at Beeston Regis...
, Holt, Norfolk
Holt, Norfolk
Holt is a market town and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The town is north of the city of Norwich, west of Cromer and east of King's Lynn. The town is on the route of the A148 King's Lynn to Cromer road. The nearest railway station is in the town of Sheringham where access to the...
(1919-1923), the Byam Shaw School of Art in 1923-1924, Royal Academy Schools in 1924, at the Slade School of Fine Art
Slade School of Fine Art
The Slade School of Fine Art is a world-renownedart school in London, United Kingdom, and a department of University College London...
in 1924-1926, and at Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1926-1928.
At school Medley was the friend of W. H. Auden
W. H. Auden
Wystan Hugh Auden , who published as W. H. Auden, was an Anglo-American poet,The first definition of "Anglo-American" in the OED is: "Of, belonging to, or involving both England and America." See also the definition "English in origin or birth, American by settlement or citizenship" in See also...
, and first suggested that Auden might write poetry (although Medley did not know at the time that he had this effect). As described in his memoir, Drawn from the Life, in his early years he believed he was heterosexual (and therefore did not understand Auden's erotic intentions toward him until they spent a single weekend together after both had left school). Until he was seduced at 19 (he recalled later), "I was still under the illusion that I was entirely heterosexual."
Career
In Paris in 1926 he met a dancer, Rupert DooneRupert Doone
Rupert Doone was an English dancer, choreographer, theatre director, and teacher....
, with whom he lived for the rest of Doone's life. In 1932 he and Doone cofounded the Group Theatre (London)
Group Theatre (London)
The Group Theatre was an experimental theatre company founded in 1932 by Rupert Doone and Robert Medley. It evolved from a play-reading group in Cambridge that Doone had been involved with during his years studying with the Festival Theatre there...
, for which Medley served as artistic director, either designing the Group's productions or supervising designs that included masks by Henry Moore
Henry Moore
Henry Spencer Moore OM CH FBA was an English sculptor and artist. He was best known for his semi-abstract monumental bronze sculptures which are located around the world as public works of art....
. Medley and Doone invited Auden to write plays for the Group, and through Auden Medley met Stephen Spender
Stephen Spender
Sir Stephen Harold Spender CBE was an English poet, novelist and essayist who concentrated on themes of social injustice and the class struggle in his work...
, Louis MacNeice
Louis MacNeice
Frederick Louis MacNeice CBE was an Irish poet and playwright. He was part of the generation of "thirties poets" which included W. H. Auden, Stephen Spender and Cecil Day-Lewis; nicknamed "MacSpaunday" as a group — a name invented by Roy Campbell, in his Talking Bronco...
, and others who became associated with the Group.
From 1929 to1934 he worked with Duncan Grant
Duncan Grant
Duncan James Corrowr Grant was a British painter and designer of textiles, potterty and theatre sets and costumes...
and Vanessa Bell
Vanessa Bell
Vanessa Bell was an English painter and interior designer, a member of the Bloomsbury group, and the sister of Virginia Woolf.- Biography and art :...
, and he exhibited paintings with the London Group from 1929. His first solo show was at the London Artists' Association in 1932. During the 1930s he worked mostly in various avant-garde styles. He had a painting in the International Surrealist Exhibition in London in 1936. In 1937 Medley founded the Artists' International Association
Artists' International Association
The Artists International Association or AIA was an organization founded in London in 1933 out of discussion amongst Pearl Binder, Clifford Rowe, Misha Black, James Fitton, James Boswell, James Holland and Edward Ardizzone, the first meeting took place in Misha Black’s room at the Seven...
(AIA), which promoted socialist and avant-garde art. In 1938 he chaired a widely-noticed debate between Realists
Realism (visual arts)
Realism in the visual arts is a style that depicts the actuality of what the eyes can see. The term is used in different senses in art history; it may mean the same as illusionism, the representation of subjects with visual mimesis or verisimilitude, or may mean an emphasis on the actuality of...
and Surrealists organized by the AIA.
During the Second World War Medley served as an official war artist.
He taught at the Chelsea Art School (now part of the Chelsea College of Art and Design
Chelsea College of Art and Design
Chelsea College of Art and Design, the erstwhile Chelsea School of Art, is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London, and is a leading British art and design institution with an international reputation...
) in 1945-49, at the Slade School of Fine Art
Slade School of Fine Art
The Slade School of Fine Art is a world-renownedart school in London, United Kingdom, and a department of University College London...
in 1958-66, and as chairman of the faculty of painting at the British School in Rome in 1966-77.
In the 1950s he was one of the first English painters who turned to abstraction, but in later years returned to figurative painting. These last paintings are the most widely-respected of his works.
A retrospective exhibition was held at Whitechapel Art Gallery in 1963.
In 1982 he was appointed CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
. In 1985 he was elected to the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
. A centenary tribute at James Hyman Fine Art (a London gallery) in 2005 was accompanied by a catalogue with essays about Medley's work.
Work in public collections
- Rhododendrons (1950) at the Tate Gallery
- Portrait of Maggi Hambling (1988) at the Ashmolean Museum
- Mottisfont AbbeyMottisfont AbbeyMottisfont Abbey is a historical abbey and country estate in England. Sheltered in the valley of the River Test, the property is now operated by the National Trust. About 200,000 people visit each year...
, HampshireHampshireHampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
- Landscape