Roberts, William (1895–1980)

English painter. One of the leading Vorticists, he developed a style characterized by geometric simplification and a fascination with sharp, angular rhythms (often suggested by popular music). A well-known example is Bank Holiday in the Park 1923 (private collection).

Though still displaying strong rhythmic structure, works such as Les Routiers 1930–32 (Ulster Museum, Belfast) have softened outlines and show the influence of the French painter Fernand Léger. Later works include The Vorticists at the Restaurant of the Eiffel Tower 1962 (Tate Gallery, London) and Rush Hour 1971.