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George Mackley

1900 - 1983

The Sluice Gate by George Mackley
 

The Sluice Gate   1955

  Original wood engraving.
Signed, titled and numbered in pencil.
Gresham catalogue p.94
S 185 x 222 mm; I 101 x 125 mm
SOLD
 
Particularly fine signed proof impression with beautiful clarity of line, from the only edition of 75 signed proofs as presented by the Print Collector’s Club in 1955.

George Mackley’s outstanding ability in the medium of white-line wood engraving is seen here to the full. With his characteristically firm and precise manner he has conveyed the widest variety of textures and interplay of shadows, as this sensitive example of his craftsmanship illustrates, George Mackley rarely had cause to resort to the use of large areas of solid black, depending instead upon the variation in density which he could produce through his own skilful balance of line. A true master of his craft, George Mackley produced some of the finest examples of white-line wood engraving of the post-war era, and his book on the practical aspects of the subject (published 1948) is still one of the leading manuals on technique.

On smooth cream wove paper, watermarked Basingwerk Parchment, with full margins. Excellent condition.