Diogenes and the Bishop

Diogenes and the Bishop
Media: 
Oil on canvas
Size: 
172 x 95cm.
Signed: 
Unknown
Inscription: 
Inscribed on the reverse of the canvas 'fragment for large canvas (used for Death and The Maiden)'
Exhibited: 
2007 At the Edge. Works by R. O. Lenkiewicz, 1941-2002. Hartlepool Art Gallery and Novas Gallery, London.a
Sitter(s): 
Albert Fisher, aka the Bishop; Edwin James MacKenzie, aka Diogenes
Additional Information: 

This is a fragment of a huge canvas. Other parts of the original canvas are: "Nude Study Rear View of a Woman" and "Annie Hill-Smith with Reuben". In addition Ruti Cohen is figured, and it may be presumed that also that part still exists.

Novas (2007) label text:
This painting was shown at The Fool, the gallery that Lenkiewicz opened in 1974, as part of a composite exhibition that was called “Paintings designed to make money”. The fact that the Bishop’s genitalia were shown caused a stir in the local press at the time. A grave stone was going to be painted in the foreground but was never resolved.
Sunday Independent 13 Aug 1978: "After complaints during a previous exhibition, Lenkiewicz hung a figleaf over the offending part of a naked tramp."

This is probably Project 1a: Vagrancy II, Exhibition list No. 22. ‘The Bishop’ and ‘Diogenes’ naked.