Lot 158: THOMAS OSBORNE ROBINSON O.B.E 1904-1976

MARRIAGE A LA MODE

41 by 31cm.; 16¼ by 12¼in.

signed u.l.: Osborne Robinson and titled u.r.

watercolour and gouache over pencil

NOTE

As a teenager Osborne Robinson Osborne attended a performance of Diaghilev's Russian Ballet and was so inspired by Bakst's stage decoration and costumes that he pursued a career in theatre design. In 1927, having attended classes at Northampton School of Art, he was first invited to produce designs for the theatre in his native town of Northampton, where he was later to become chief scenic designer, in addition to working on productions elsewhere in Britain such as at the Old Vic and Stratford. During his long career, Osborne developed a keen interest in 19υth and 20υth century posters, amassing a sizeable and important collection which is now owned by the School of Art and Design at University College, Northampton.

The present picture is a charming costume sketch for Marriage a la Mode by John Dryden which is often praised as his best comedic endeavor, exploring the treatment of sex and marriage.