The five paintings created as part of Rosoman’s A Patriot for Me series are based on John Osborne’s controversial play of the same name, which was first performed at the Royal Court in 1965. They were exhibited together for the first time in over 40 years in our 2018 exhibition Leonard Rosoman: Painting Theatre.

While the play was initially banned by the Lord Chamberlain’s office for its homosexual content, a legal loophole was exploited which turned the theatre into a private club for the play’s duration. It would help pave the way for the 1968 Theatres Act which abolished censorship of theatre.

Rosoman attended the first performance of his friend Osborne’s exploration of gay life – inspired by the true story of the disgraced Austro-Hungarian army officer, Colonel Redl – returning every evening for a fortnight to create drawings by torchlight.

Two years later these drawings would form the basis for Rosoman’s series of 40 paintings and gouaches. Dominated by two major paintings on the play’s famous ‘drag ball’ scene, these large canvases show a bustling stage filled with cross-dressed men, a development of Rosoman’s interest in multi-figure composition.

With their use of a box-like stage setting, the works continue the tradition of the theatrical conversation piece, a genre most often associated with William Hogarth and Johan Zoffany. Notable British actors of the period are depicted, including the Royal Court’s Director George Devine in drag as the aristocratic Baron von Epp, Rosoman’s friend Jill Bennet as Countess Sophia and the German actor Maximilian Schell, playing the role of doomed Colonel Redl.

Pallant House Gallery Director Simon Martin has commented: “We are thrilled to acquire Leonard Rosoman’s A Patriot for Me paintings. Not only are they among his finest works, but they have a particular significance to LGBTQ history, to the history of British theatre and visual art, representing a time when Britain’s social and cultural history was on the cusp of a pivotal shift.”

The works from the A Patriot for Me series were acquired by Pallant House Gallery through the Acceptance in Lieu scheme from the Estate of Roxanne Wruble Levy Rosoman, a concert pianist and supporter of the arts, who was married to Rosoman until his death in 2012. Pallant House Gallery is grateful to Christie’s for their support in ensuring these works join the collection.