tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2195425069670824214.post3424196039006441858..comments2024-03-26T22:36:52.981+00:00Comments on Modern Printmakers: A tale of two prints: William Giles and 'Midsummer Night'Haji babahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10619515066447546979noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2195425069670824214.post-78463223722541838602013-11-06T17:33:38.692+00:002013-11-06T17:33:38.692+00:00What you say about the Ruskin approach is interest...What you say about the Ruskin approach is interesting.My own knowledge of the potters doesn't go much further than what I used to see in antiques centres and looking at their work in Birmingham.<br /><br />The Giles prints are usually described as versions rather than states simply because there were two separate editions. Presumably, the Goupil edition sold out and Giles refined his technique between 1912 and 1919. The later one is glorious.<br /><br />As for Urushibara, well, he took quite a few ideas from Giles, including for his 'Stonehenge, Moonlight' which partly derives from Giles' print of 1910. What he did was change the size and position of the moon (he also left it out) to change the overall tone of the print, which he was very good at.Haji babahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10619515066447546979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2195425069670824214.post-31050768403618216972013-11-06T17:17:07.367+00:002013-11-06T17:17:07.367+00:00No, I didn't know you liked Ruskin, but it doe...No, I didn't know you liked Ruskin, but it does make complete sense.<br /><br />Most of Wadsworth's training was in Britain, but he learned to make woodcuts at the Knirr School in Munich while he was supposed to be doing other things. But, yes, I agree, his woodcuts are German more than British and, funnily enough, I had a post lined up on this very subject! As none his Munich woodcuts have survived, no one has any idea what he was doing apart from the fact that he was aware of Kandinsky's work.Haji babahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10619515066447546979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2195425069670824214.post-5512519361134213532013-11-06T16:36:15.807+00:002013-11-06T16:36:15.807+00:00Edward & William Taylor were inspired to creat...Edward & William Taylor were inspired to create their art pottery in an effort to emulate the Ancient Chinese high fired reduction fired "flambe" glazes, often with spectacular success (sang de beouf) whilst others, such as dove greys were (in my opinion) dreary failures. Unlike Giles who was in control of his colours, Taylor's pots often seem in control of their own destiny! Each is a unique work of art, a result of technical excellence and a lot of luck.<br /><br />When I first saw the 2 Giles, I immediately thought Dawn and Dusk - which in turn reminded me of Urushibara and his Night and Day at Stonehenge. Then after reading your posting I appreciated it was more 1st state and 2nd state and even 3rd states - <br /><br />.... I prefer the top one. More vibrant colours and less sheep ?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473503440948420528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2195425069670824214.post-53300903754464501312013-11-06T08:39:25.334+00:002013-11-06T08:39:25.334+00:00I think that was an interesting point you made abo...I think that was an interesting point you made about overemphasis. He is certainly one of the last artists you could describe as art deco, and is the polar opposite to the Grosvenor School brigade.<br /><br />He comes over as unworldly, but I suspect you are again right, there were some sound financial ideas behind him. That said, Ada Shrimpton was almost certainly better-off than he was, otherwise she would have been unable to work as a single woman for all those years before their marriage. Salaman also makes a telling comparison between Shrimpton and Shylock's daughter<br /><br />I also agree, he is one of those artists you do want to know more about, but frankly I am not about to publish the result of months of hard research online.<br /><br />Giles and Ruskin have the same ideals of finish and a similar iridescence. They are not interested in truth to materials. Giles saw wood or metal as a means to an end and was not concerned with any expressive qualities they had. Interestingly, a rather later modernist like Edward Wadsworth took a similar view. For all the sentiment in the prints, Giles was unsentimental about methods.Haji babahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10619515066447546979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2195425069670824214.post-42405898541521041122013-11-06T08:15:26.684+00:002013-11-06T08:15:26.684+00:00Yes, Giles is certainly an acquired taste for many...Yes, Giles is certainly an acquired taste for many of us today, and much as I like the sheep, I can do without the peacocks. That said, the more I look at his work, the more worthwhile I find him.<br /><br />Boxsius has less to him, but, just like you, 'Noonday' is a work I am in awe of.Haji babahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10619515066447546979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2195425069670824214.post-31871565330398540812013-11-05T22:38:53.637+00:002013-11-05T22:38:53.637+00:00Charles,
very interesting post - even if I must s...Charles,<br /><br />very interesting post - even if I must say I am not too fond of Giles' work, to be honest. Boxsius`"Noonday" was new to me - a masterpiece!<br /><br />KlausAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com