After the Dance

After The Dance delves into the intriguing life of South African artist Le Roux Smith Le Roux (1914-1963), a brilliant yet obsessive outsider who was appointed Deputy Keeper of the Tate Gallery in 1950 at the age of thirty-six. Renowned for his sharp intelligence and methodical approach, Le Roux boldly questions the price paid by Director Sir John Rothenstein for the Degas sculpture, Li le Dancer, Aged Fourteen. While Le Roux excels in his professional life, his personal relationships are chaotic. The biography unveils the complexities of a talented man whose life was tumultuous as it was remarkable. The narrative describes the Great Tate Affair (1952-1954), offering a fresh perspective that challenges the accepted narrative shaped by Rothenstein's flawed account. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, this book invites readers to reconsider one of art history's most controversial episodes.

In After the Dance, Philippe Le Roux explores the complex legacy of his father, Le Roux Smith Le Roux, a talented mural painter and art administrator he never knew. Prompted by his mother, Philippe embarks on a journey to investigate his father's tumultuous life. He uncovers his father's significant role as a whistleblower at the Tate Gallery, particularly regarding the controversial price paid for Degas's Dancer. This investigation leads Philippe to confront the ongoing debate surrounding the Tate Affair, especially the narrative craft ed by Sir John Rothenstein. Despite art historians recognizing Rothenstein as an unreliable narrator, many still endorse his version of events. This book aims to clarify the true story of the Tate Affair and illuminate why the Establishment chose to support Rothenstein over his challenger.