ROGER HILTON (1911-1975)
May, 1960
Oil on canvas
Signed 'Hilton', titled 'May' and dated '60', verso
91 x 75.5 cm (36 x 30 in)
Provenance
Private collection, 1990
Private collection, UK
Exhibited
Osborne Samuel, London, Modern British Art : The Legacy of
Margaret Gardiner, 9th October – 8th November 2024
Literature
Dr Judith LeGrove, Modern British Art : The Legacy of
Margaret Gardiner, published by Osborne Samuel, London,
p.62-63
Ede acquired two paintings by Hilton in the late 1950s
and early 1960s. Extending a warm invitation to see
the new work in his studio, Hilton agreed to discuss
an exchange, adding that it would depend on 'the
drawings'.
1
Whether these were drawings by Gaudier-
Brzeska, or possibly Wallis, is not known. Ede acquired
October 1955 Calm (Black, Grey, Brown and White),
then, a few years later, January 1961 (Black and
Brown on White). After the second transaction, Hilton
congratulated Ede on both choices: the new painting
would not only complement its predecessor, but had been
admired by Victor Pasmore as the best in the exhibition.
2
Both compositions are abstract, employing a similar
palette to the works by Blackburn that Ede favoured
during this period. In 1964, Ede lent January 1961
(Black and Brown on White) to the XXXII Venice
Biennale, where it was shown in the British Pavilion
with work by Gwyther Irwin, Joe Tilson and Bernard
Meadows.
1 Roger Hilton, letter to Ede, undated, Kettle's Yard Archive, KY/EDE/1/1 H20.42.
2 Roger Hilton, letter to Ede, undated, Kettle's Yard Archive, KY/EDE/1/1 H20.44.
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