Robin Warwick Gibson
Encyclopedia
Robin Warwick Gibson, OBE
(3 May 1944 – 9 August 2010) was a British gallery curator and art historian best known for his work at the National Portrait Gallery in London
between 1968 and 2001, including eight years as Chief Curator. He was responsible for many innovations in the management of the gallery and published a number of significant academic works on the gallery's collections during his career.
before reading Modern Languages and a second degree in Fine Arts at Magdalene College, Cambridge
. After a brief period at the Manchester City Art Gallery, Gibson joined the National Portrait Gallery as an assistant curator in 1968 and was almost immediately involved in the establishment of the photographic department, the role of which he would significantly develop and expand during his career. In 1975 he was involved in the establishment of Montacute House
as an outstation of the Gallery.
In 1983, Gibson became curator of twentieth century collections and reinvigorated the collections by expanding the use of photography, contemporary sculpture and film in the gallery's collections and redesigning many of the galleries. He also began the practice of commissioning paintings of living figures by contemporary artists, stating that "Representational painting is not so central any more to current artistic concerns: there is not the same social structure, nor the patrons to encourage the artists. We are much more interested in the psychological aspect of portraiture now." This occasionally led him into controversy, such as when the gallery's board of trustees rejected a portrait of Alan Bennett
by Tom Wood in 1992 to the embarrassment of all concerned.
In 1994, Gibson was made Chief Curator and remained in post until 2001. In 2000 he curated 'Painting the Century 101 Portrait Masterpieces 1900-2000', writing the book, with an introduction by Norbert Lynton
that accompanied the exhibition. He published numerous reference works on art history, including examinations of animals in portraiture and several studies of painting in the twentieth century, and contributed to the Dictionary of National Biography
, Folio, The Independent
, Modern Painters
& the Museums Journal
. Gibson settled in Hempstead
, Essex
and became involved with the Fry Art Gallery
. He was a keen gardener, cook and amateur composer, pianist and organist. He was predeceased by his partner of over 40 years, Tom Gligoroff, repetiteur and pianist. Gibson was survived by his sister Hilary Gibson and his second recent partner, Hitesh Mistry.
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...
(3 May 1944 – 9 August 2010) was a British gallery curator and art historian best known for his work at the National Portrait Gallery in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
between 1968 and 2001, including eight years as Chief Curator. He was responsible for many innovations in the management of the gallery and published a number of significant academic works on the gallery's collections during his career.
Life
Gibson was born in 1944 near Hereford and educated at Wychcrest Preparatory School and at New College Choir School Oxford, the Royal Masonic SchoolRoyal Masonic School for Boys
The Royal Masonic School for Boys was an independent school for boys in England.From 1798 charities were set up for clothing and educating sons of needy Freemasons. They originally provided education by sending them to schools near to their homes...
before reading Modern Languages and a second degree in Fine Arts at Magdalene College, Cambridge
Magdalene College, Cambridge
Magdalene College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1428 as a Benedictine hostel, in time coming to be known as Buckingham College, before being refounded in 1542 as the College of St Mary Magdalene...
. After a brief period at the Manchester City Art Gallery, Gibson joined the National Portrait Gallery as an assistant curator in 1968 and was almost immediately involved in the establishment of the photographic department, the role of which he would significantly develop and expand during his career. In 1975 he was involved in the establishment of Montacute House
Montacute House
Montacute House is a late Elizabethan country house situated in the South Somerset village of Montacute. This house is a textbook example of English architecture during a period that was moving from the medieval Gothic to the Renaissance Classical; this has resulted in Montacute being regarded as...
as an outstation of the Gallery.
In 1983, Gibson became curator of twentieth century collections and reinvigorated the collections by expanding the use of photography, contemporary sculpture and film in the gallery's collections and redesigning many of the galleries. He also began the practice of commissioning paintings of living figures by contemporary artists, stating that "Representational painting is not so central any more to current artistic concerns: there is not the same social structure, nor the patrons to encourage the artists. We are much more interested in the psychological aspect of portraiture now." This occasionally led him into controversy, such as when the gallery's board of trustees rejected a portrait of Alan Bennett
Alan Bennett
Alan Bennett is a British playwright, screenwriter, actor and author. Born in Leeds, he attended Oxford University where he studied history and performed with The Oxford Revue. He stayed to teach and research mediaeval history at the university for several years...
by Tom Wood in 1992 to the embarrassment of all concerned.
In 1994, Gibson was made Chief Curator and remained in post until 2001. In 2000 he curated 'Painting the Century 101 Portrait Masterpieces 1900-2000', writing the book, with an introduction by Norbert Lynton
Norbert Lynton
Norbert Lynton was Professor of the History of Art at the University of Sussex.He has published on architecture and on modern artists including Paul Klee, Ben Nicholson, William Scott. With Erika Langmuir, he coauthored the 'Yale Dictionary of Modern Art'...
that accompanied the exhibition. He published numerous reference works on art history, including examinations of animals in portraiture and several studies of painting in the twentieth century, and contributed to the Dictionary of National Biography
Dictionary of National Biography
The Dictionary of National Biography is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published from 1885...
, Folio, The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
, Modern Painters
Modern Painters (magazine)
Modern Painters is a monthly art magazine published in New York City by Louise Blouin Media. The magazine is published 10 times per year; it includes profiles on two international artists per issue; columns by international contributors; interviews with and articles by contemporary artists and...
& the Museums Journal
Museums Journal
Museums Journal, published monthly by Museums Association, is the leading source of news and information for museums and galleries. It was first published in 1901. E. Howarth was the first editor, and remained editor until 1909, when he resigned....
. Gibson settled in Hempstead
Hempstead
Hempstead may refer to:PlacesIn England:*Hempstead, Essex*Hempstead, Kent*Hempstead, near Holt, Norfolk*Hempstead, near Stalham, Norfolk*Hemel Hempstead, HertfordshireIn the United States:*Hempstead County, Arkansas...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
and became involved with the Fry Art Gallery
Fry Art Gallery
The Fry Art Gallery is an art gallery located in Saffron Walden, Essex, England. In its present form the gallery was established in 1985 and it is managed by the Fry Art Gallery Society...
. He was a keen gardener, cook and amateur composer, pianist and organist. He was predeceased by his partner of over 40 years, Tom Gligoroff, repetiteur and pianist. Gibson was survived by his sister Hilary Gibson and his second recent partner, Hitesh Mistry.
Books & catalogues
- Catalogue of exhibition of paintings from the Collection of Dr. D. M. McDonald,foreword by Roy Strong, 1970
- British Portrait Painters, by Robin Gibson and Keith Roberts , 1971
- The Masque of beauty, National Portrait Gallery, 1972
- Flower Painting, 1976
- The Clarendon Collection, Paul Mellon Centre,1977
- 20th Century Portraits, 1978
- Glyn Philpot, 1984
- John Bellany : new portraits, the Maxi/Hudson Collection, National Portrait Gallery, London, 1986
- Glyn Philpot, 1884-1937: Edwardian Aesthete to Thirties Modernist, National Portrait Gallery, London 1986
- Paolozzi portraits,with an essay by Robin Spencer, National Portrait Gallery,1988
- Lewis Morley photographer of the sixties, foreword by Robin Gibson, with essays by Terence Pepper and David Mellor, National Portrait Gallery, 1989
- Madame Yevonde : Colour, fantasy and myth, by Robin Gibson and Pam Roberts, 1990
- John Bratby Portraits, 1991
- The Portrait Now, 1993
- The Sitwells, 1994
- Glenys Barton by Adrian Flowers, Robin Gibson, Edward Lucie-Smith; foreword by Charles Saumarez Smith; introduction by Robert Heller, 1997
- The Face in the Corner, 1998
- Painting the Century : 101 Portrait Masterpieces 1900-2000, 2000
- Stephen Finer : paintings, 2004