Frank Brangwyn, R.A., R.W.S., P.R.B.A. (British, 1867-1956)

Temptation is a preparatory study for Man laboring painfully with his own hands; living precariously and adventurously with courage, fortitude and the indomitable will to survive, one of the four panels Brangwyn painted between 1930-1934 which are placed on the south side of the elevator corridor of the GE building (formerly the RCA Building) at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York. Commissioned by John D. Rockefeller Jr., the final panels each measure 204 x 300 inches and Brangwyn had to borrow the Exhibition Galleries at Brighton in order to complete them because his own studio at Ditchling was not sufficiently large. The panels were painted in tempera and had to be carried out in three tones to harmonize with other interior design schemes.

We are grateful to Dr. Elizabeth Horner for her assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.

(fig. 1) Brangwyn working on one of the Rockefeller panels, photograph courtesy of Liss Fine Art