Emilio Coia

John Laurie, 1897 - 1980. Actor

About this artwork

John Laurie began and ended his long and distinguished career as a classical theatre and dramatic film actor by playing comedy roles. This drawing by Coia depicts Laurie’s unmistakable features under the spotlight. Arguably it was his most undemanding role - pessimistic Private Frazer in Dad’s Army, whom he played from 1968-77 – which gained him popular recognition. Laurie described his part in the comedy series as 'playing just a few lines and some of them are very good'. The declaration 'we’re doomed' was uttered by Frazer at any potentially bleak moment. Laurie re-created Frazer’s morose style in his recitations of the poems of William McGonagall.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
    Emilio Coia (1911 - 1997) Scottish
  • title:
    John Laurie, 1897 - 1980. Actor
  • date created:
    1932
  • materials:
    Black chalk on paper
  • measurements:
    Irregular: 53.00 x 35.00 cm; (framed: 83.00 x 58.00 cm)
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Purchased 1990
  • accession number:
    PG 2803
  • gallery:
  • depicted:
  • subject:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
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Emilio Coia

Emilio Coia