Derek Carruthers (1935–2021)
‘Similar But Not The Same’ – An Important Philosophical Watercolour Depicting Articulated Mannequins, Dated 1978

This important watercolour, titled ‘Similar But Not The Same’ and dated 1978, is a mature and intellectually resolved work by the British artist Derek Carruthers (1935–2021), a prominent figure within Modern British art. Executed during one of the most thoughtful phases of his career, the composition is populated by articulated artists’ mannequins, deliberately anonymous yet animated through carefully differentiated posture, gesture and spatial relationship.

The mannequins are arranged across the composition in a measured rhythm, each engaged with geometric elements—cubes, frames and polyhedral structures—rendered with clarity and restraint. Subtle variations in stance and interaction suggest differing roles within a shared task, drawing attention to the tension between repetition and individuality. The figures appear suspended within a shallow, structured space, giving the work a staged, almost theatrical quality.

Carruthers’ use of the artist’s mannequin is both conceptual and autobiographical. As Head of Art at Durham University, he made extensive use of articulated mannequins in his teaching, valuing them as neutral instruments through which form, movement and proportion could be examined without narrative distraction. In his own work, these mannequins function as philosophical surrogates, enabling him to explore collective human behaviour in its most distilled form.

The painting may be read as a meditation on systems of thought and construction, intellectual, social or creative, where shared frameworks exist, yet no two participants experience or inhabit them in precisely the same way. The repeated handling of similar geometric forms suggests processes of learning, problem-solving or cooperative labour, while the inscribed phrase “SIMILAR BUT NOT THE SAME” acts as both title and thesis, clarifying the artist’s central concern with difference within uniformity.

The restrained palette, dominated by warm terracotta tones set against a cool blue ground, reinforces the contemplative mood. Repetition is tempered by subtle variation, encouraging prolonged looking and reflection. The work aligns closely with post-war British modernist enquiry and reflects the intellectual climate shared by Carruthers and contemporaries such as Victor Pasmore, with whom he was associated during the mid-century movement in England, both artists valuing structure, abstraction and philosophical intent.

This watercolour stands as a major example of Carruthers’ philosophical approach to figuration, combining formal discipline with conceptual depth. It is a work that invites interpretation without prescribing it, and one that remains quietly resonant and relevant.

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

Dealer’s Note

“This is a thoughtful and finely balanced painting in which every element has purpose. The detailing of the mannequins and geometry reveals Carruthers’ disciplined mind, while the underlying idea gives the work lasting relevance. A serious and rewarding example of modern British art.”

Condition Report

Great condition, as new condition

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)