Hedley Fitton

The elaborate architectural etchings of Hedley Fitton, form a specific link between the typical etched work of the Victorian period and the expressive, open freedom of the pioneering works of the British Etching Revival. At their heart is always a heavily worked composition, filled with etched line in a manner characteristic of Victorian art. Yet this is balanced by the more modern approach of sparsely etched outer areas of the plate, often to give a vignetted effect, drawing the viewer’s eye towards the focal point of attention near the centre of the image. The concept of Victorian narrative has been abandoned, and although there is a hint of genre to these works, they are essentially etching for etching’s sake, recording splendid examples of elaborate architecture and fascinating town views.

These large-scale and complex architectural works were immensely popular during the 1920’s, but fell from favour in the following decades, when many were disposed of, being thought over large and unfashionable. In recent years, these considerable etchings have begun to experience a long deserved revival, taking their place amongst the finest of British prints. At long last, a comprehensive catalogue raisonnée on the etchings of Hedley Fitton has just been issued – a publication which is sure to bring these impressive works of original etching to the fore once more.