Derek Carruthers (1935–2021) – Mannequin Composition – Original Watercolour, Signed and Dated September 1999

This original watercolour, signed and dated September 1999, is by the British artist Derek Carruthers (1935–2021). The composition presents a densely interwoven mass of articulated artists’ mannequins, compressed into a shallow pictorial space and framed by a strong chromatic border.

Carruthers’ use of articulated mannequins was both symbolic and practical. As Head of Art at Durham University, he used these forms extensively in teaching, employing them as tools to explore structure, balance and movement. In his own work, the mannequins function as anonymous surrogates for humanity, allowing him to examine collective behaviour, conformity and pressure without reference to individual identity.

Limbs overlap and interlock to create a compact, almost sculptural configuration, suggesting themes of interdependence, containment and constraint. Executed in watercolour with confident line and controlled tonal variation, the work reflects Carruthers’ mature handling of form and composition during the late 1990s.

Derek Carruthers was a prominent figure within Modern British art, active in the mid- to late-20th century. He was closely associated with the intellectual and formal concerns of the period and was a contemporary and colleague of Victor Pasmore, with whom he shared an interest in structure, abstraction and the relationship between form and human experience.

Both artists were influential figures within the broader mid-century British movement, contributing to the development of modernist thinking in art education as well as practice. Carruthers’ work stands out for its sustained engagement with figurative symbolism and social structure.

Purchased from the artist’s estate.

Dealer’s Note

This is a strong and mature example of Derek Carruthers’ late-career work. The use of articulated artists’ mannequins—central to both his teaching and practice—gives the composition a clarity of intent and intellectual rigour. Works from the 1990s are increasingly sought after, particularly those with direct estate provenance, and this piece sits comfortably within the canon of serious Modern British figurative art.

Condition Report

Great condition

Purchased from the artist’s estate

Measurement

Height:       61 cm   /      24.01 inches(with mount)

Width:        82 cm   /     32.28 inches (with mount)

Height:       50 cm   /     19.86 inches (without mount)

Width:        71 cm   /      27.95 inches (without mount)