Derek Carruthers (1935–2021) – “Tower of Babel” – Original Watercolour, 2006 Signed

This original watercolour, titled ‘Tower of Babel’ and dated March/April 2006, is by the British artist Derek Carruthers (1935–2021), a respected and influential figure within Modern British art. The composition is constructed as a carefully balanced vertical arrangement of articulated artists’ mannequins, forming a pyramidal structure that speaks to ideas of ambition, hierarchy and the inherent fragility of human systems.

Carruthers’ use of the artist’s mannequin was both conceptually and practically grounded. As Head of Art at Durham University, he made extensive use of articulated mannequins in his teaching, valuing their neutrality and adaptability as tools for analysing form, movement and structure. In his own work, these mannequins function as anonymous human stand-ins, allowing Carruthers to explore collective behaviour without recourse to individual identity.

The Tower of Babel, drawn from the Book of Genesis, has long served as a metaphor for human aspiration and the consequences of overreach. Carruthers’ interpretation places this narrative firmly within a modern context, reflecting early 21st-century anxieties surrounding globalisation, uniformity and the breakdown of communication.

Executed in watercolour with characteristic discipline and graphic precision, the palette progresses from warm ochre and terracotta tones to darker grounding elements below. The overall effect is one of controlled balance, intellectual restraint and quiet authority—hallmarks of Carruthers’ mature practice.

Derek Carruthers was a prominent presence among mid-century and post-war British artists, working within the same intellectual milieu as Victor Pasmore, with whom he shared both professional respect and a commitment to modernist enquiry. Both artists were influential as educators as well as practitioners, helping to shape the direction of British art in the second half of the 20th century.

Acquired directly from the artist’s estate, enhancing both its provenance and desirability.

Dealer’s Note

“A strong and well-resolved example of Carruthers’ later work. The use of articulated artists’ mannequins—so closely linked to his teaching and philosophy—gives the composition real authenticity. Carruthers remains an under-appreciated yet significant figure within Modern British art, and works of this quality are increasingly sought after by informed collectors.”

Condition Report

Great condition - Original condition, never been framed

Acquired directly from the artist’s estate, enhancing both its provenance and desirability.

Measurement

Height:        82 cm   /     32.28 inches (with mount)

Width:         61 cm   /      24.01 inches (with mount)

Height:        71 cm   /      27.95 inches (without mount)

Width:         50 cm   /     19.86 inches (without mount)