The Pianist thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

The Pianist

Panel
1949 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This panel by Frances Richards is worked on a woollen ground with an appliqué of nylon and cotton, embroidered with coloured silks and cottons, mainly in chain stitch and running stitch with couched work.

Frances Richards was born in Stoke-on-Trent in 1903, the daughter of pottery artist John Clayton. She worked as a pottery designer before moving to London to study at the Royal College of Art in 1924, where she met fellow artist Ceri Richards (1903-1971). They married in 1929, and both went on to have successful careers as artists and designers. Frances Richards illustrated the Book of Revelation (published in 1931), and continued to work in a variety of media, including ceramics and textiles.

This particular design entitled 'The Pianist' is after a drawing by Ceri Richards, who often took his inspiration from music and poetry.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Pianist (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Wool embroidered in silk and cotton, with applique of nylon and cotton
Physical description
Red woollen ground with an applique of nylon and cotton, embroidered with coloured silks and cottons (in red, blue, yellow, black, grey and white) mainly in chain and running stitches with couched work. Mounted.
Dimensions
  • Length: 28.3cm
  • Width: 22.2cm
Summary
This panel by Frances Richards is worked on a woollen ground with an appliqué of nylon and cotton, embroidered with coloured silks and cottons, mainly in chain stitch and running stitch with couched work.

Frances Richards was born in Stoke-on-Trent in 1903, the daughter of pottery artist John Clayton. She worked as a pottery designer before moving to London to study at the Royal College of Art in 1924, where she met fellow artist Ceri Richards (1903-1971). They married in 1929, and both went on to have successful careers as artists and designers. Frances Richards illustrated the Book of Revelation (published in 1931), and continued to work in a variety of media, including ceramics and textiles.

This particular design entitled 'The Pianist' is after a drawing by Ceri Richards, who often took his inspiration from music and poetry.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.49-1949

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Record createdApril 11, 2008
Record URL
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