Lot Essay
In October 1929 Gill was commissioned to provide a group of sculptures for Broadcasting House, the new headquarters of the B.B.C. The subject for the commission was Prospero and Ariel from Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' and it included three panels depicting Ariel learning celestial music, between Wisdom and Gaiety and piping to the Children, and a ten foot high group of Prospero and Ariel.
The model for Ariel was the actor, Leslie French, who was playing the character in the Old Vic production of 'The Tempest' at Sadlers Wells. French sat for Gill on several occasions at Pigotts, the artist's studio
(See R. Speaight, The Life of Eric Gill, London, 1966, p.p.216-9)
A photocopy of a letter dated 9 January 1931 from the artist to Leslie French, is included in this lot:
'Dear Sir, You may have heard that I am to do sculptures of Ariel on the new B.B.C. building. I am writing to ask if you would care to let me make some drawings from your beautiful figure as a help to me in making the sculpture. Don't hesitate to say no if you would rather not. But I should be very glad if you would agree. Beautiful men are not common. I shall be glad to hear from you. Yours faithfully, Eric Gill'
The model for Ariel was the actor, Leslie French, who was playing the character in the Old Vic production of 'The Tempest' at Sadlers Wells. French sat for Gill on several occasions at Pigotts, the artist's studio
(See R. Speaight, The Life of Eric Gill, London, 1966, p.p.216-9)
A photocopy of a letter dated 9 January 1931 from the artist to Leslie French, is included in this lot:
'Dear Sir, You may have heard that I am to do sculptures of Ariel on the new B.B.C. building. I am writing to ask if you would care to let me make some drawings from your beautiful figure as a help to me in making the sculpture. Don't hesitate to say no if you would rather not. But I should be very glad if you would agree. Beautiful men are not common. I shall be glad to hear from you. Yours faithfully, Eric Gill'