Accompanying my partner around a busy local antiques fair I was lucky enough to spy an art dealer stall tucked away on an upstairs floor. Fully intending to just have a browse I stumbled across a gorgeous sepia etching depicting a harvest scene by the artist Henry Rayner. I must admit this was not a name I had heard before but there was something so eloquent and atmospheric in the linework of the scene, telling a whole story with just a few well-considered marks, that I was immediately intrigued. When the gallery owner told me the artist’s history I fell in love with the work even more!
Henry Rayner was born in Australia and traveled to Britain in 1924 where he attended the Royal Academy. In 1940 his studio was bombed, causing an injury to his arm that left him unable to paint. However, after undergoing surgery he found he was still able to hold an etching needle which led to his first exhibition of etchings in 1945. His work included etched portraits of famous figures such as King George VI (bought by Queen Mary) and Winston Churchill (acquired by The British Museum).
I am so inspired by this chap who suffered such an ordeal but refused to allow it to stop him from creating his art. He adapted and expanded on another discipline and made such beautiful work from it.
All too often I don’t take enough time to look into the story of the artist when I see a work I like, choosing instead to look at other work they have done. This is something I will definitely do more in the future.
Henry Rayner kindly provided inspiration for my own degree print project, using antique music papers and etching to create a simple line image to join old and new printing marks in a harmonious dance.
