Bernard Rice (1900-1998) - Mid 20th Century Woodcut Forest Scene with a Hut

Description

A fine woodcut depicting a derelict hut in the forest, with sparse trees and logs beside a river, by the listed artist Bernard Rice (1900-1998). Signed by the artist in graphite, below the plate, and inscribed '4/40'. On laid.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration and surface dirt. The corners have some minor creases and the edges of the paper are roughly cut.

Size

23.9 x 21.5cm (9.4" x 8.5")
Sheet: 28.5 x 27.2cm (11.2" x 10.7")

Artist Biography

Bernard Rice (1900-1998) was a wood engraver, painter, sculptor, and designer of stained glass windows, he was born Charles Bernard Rice in Innsbruck, Austria of English artist parents his father being Bernard George Rice and his mother Marion Bateman. As a child, Rice learned the techniques of stained glass in his father's studio. He studied wood engraving, woodcutting, drawing and painting whilst at art school in Innsbruck. He came to England at the age of 19 and studied art at the Westminster School of Art where his peers included David Jones and Clifford Webb, before attending the Royal Academy Schools 1921-22. Rice did not, however, settle in England for very long, moving to Yugoslavia for four years before returning to England in 1926 to study etching at the RCA.

He always made his own blocks and often experimented with different woods, engraving on the cross section of a soft wood block as an alternative to hardwood. Believing in the integrity of his materials, Rice often looked to the blocks themselves for inspiration. So unusual was his technique that often his finished prints more resembled mezzotints than wood block prints. He spent much of his life travelling, and for ten years lived in Cairo teaching engraving and etching techniques. Examples of his work are in the collections of the Hunterian, Glasgow and V&A, London. Blond Fine Art, London held a show in 1996.