William Roberts RA (1895-1980)

The Khamsin - a proof for the tailpiece drawing for Lawrence's Seven Pillars of Wisdom
lithograph, unframed
21.5 x 30.5cm

In his pamphlet titled Early Years, written in September 1977 and posthumously published in 1982, William Roberts recounted his association with T. E. Lawrence. He recalls, in 1920, Colin Gill, a former Slade School of Fine Art classmate, informing him that "Colonel Lawrence is seeking artists to create portrait drawings for a book he is producing; get in touch with him." Responding to Gill's message, Roberts contacted Lawrence and subsequently contributed several portrait drawings to Seven Pillars of Wisdom, along with a painting depicting Lawrence in his Royal Air Force uniform. The portrait session took place in a room at Coleherne Terrace, Earl's Court, and during various summers, Lawrence generously lent Roberts his small woodman's cottage at Clouds Hill in Dorset.