Concourse (2)
Reproduction
Object numberRCSSC/P 418
CollectionSpecial collections
CategoryVisual works
Object nameOil paintings, genre scenes - surgery, Group portraits
TitleConcourse (2)
DescriptionPainting of an operating theatre by Barbara Hepworth, signed and dated, 1948.
A surgeon at the centre of the composition performs an operation; the patient is not clearly visible as the composition is filled with assistants, all of whom wear surgical gowns and masks and, apart from one, look intently at the operation. On the far left of the composition is the artist, also wearing a surgical gown and mask.
In 1943 Hepworth’s daughter, Sarah, was diagnosed with osteomyelitis. Hepworth became friends with Sarah’s surgeon, Norman Capener, and she encouraged him to take up stone carving as therapy following an illness. In 1947 Capener invited the sculptor to observe surgery at the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Hospital in Exeter; Concourse (2) is one of series of drawing she made there.
Over the next two years she attended further operations at the National Orthopaedic Hospital in London and the London Clinic, and produced almost 80 depictions of surgeons at work. These ‘Hospital Drawings’ mark a transition from abstract to more figurative works. Concourse (2) almost approaches portraiture in style: Capener and several of his assistants are clearly identifiable, as is the artist herself on the extreme left of the picture. Describing the works she produced during this period, Hepworth commented on the 'the extraordinary beauty of purpose and co-ordination' of the surgical team, and said that the composition of the works reflected the sense of unity demonstrated by the surgeons and nurses.
Painted in the year in which the National Health Service was founded, Concourse (2) embodies the idea of social cohesion and co-operative endeavour which underpinned the social reforms of the post-war era - ideas developed more widely in Hepworth's work during this period.
Another example of Hepworth's work from this period is in the Tate Collection (T02098).
Production date 1948
Sitter/subject
Sitter/subject
Sitter/subject
Sitter/subject
Sitter/subject
presented
Physical Location
Location
Not on public display: contact museum for access conditions
Physical Information
Physical descriptionOil and pencil on pine panel, 67.5cm by 90cm. In wooden frame with textile trim, glazed, 80.5cm by 122cm. The pine consists of two horizontal panels stuck together. 4.4mm laminated, low refelctive, water white, U.V. blocking glass glazing added in March 2015.
Barbara Hepworth, 1948
Dimensions
unframed height: 675 mm
unframed width: 900 mm
framed height: 805 mm
framed width: 1220 mm
unframed width: 900 mm
framed height: 805 mm
framed width: 1220 mm
Bibliography
SourceCapener 1969
NotesShort description of the paintings based on a letter by Normal Capener.
SourceHepburn [2012]
NotesAccount of Hepworth's Hopsital Drawings, including Concourse II.
Credit lineBowness, Hepworth Estate
