Laurence Evelyn Hyde (Canadian, 1914-1987) CSGA, OSA, CPE
Untitled: ‘Mill Falls by the Full Moon’s Light’ & ‘Portaging the Falls’
Pair of woodblocks, Artist Proofs
Image: 6 ¾” high x 4 ¼” wide
Framed: 12 ⅛” high x 15 ⅝” wide
Notes: A complementary pair of wood block engravings, both artists proofs, on Japan paper, 6 ¾” h. X 4 ¼” w., by listed and highly regarded print artist Laurence Evelyn Hyde (Canada, 1914-1987) OSA, CSGA, CPE, signed, dated 1961. The atmospheric left print depicts a swollen waterfall to the front of a gristmill under a full moon surrounded by passing clouds. The right print, equally effective in tone, shows two figures in loin clothes portaging past steep rapids in a wooded landscape.
Condition: Very Good, Vintage
For Accuracy: an antique it may show expected light signs of age. Framed and matted behind glass, Ready for Display.
Artist Biography: Laurence was born in London, England in 1914 and immigrated with his family to Canada in 1926. Laurence studied art under Thoreau MacDonald and was a protégé of Carl Schaefer, benefiting greatly from his earlier demonstrations of wood engraving. He worked primarily from his imagination rather than directly from nature.Hyde’s wood engravings are in the collections of the National Gallery of Canada, the McMichael Canadian Collection, the Library of Congress in Washington, the Art Gallery of Ontario and various other national galleries across Canada. He exhibited in the New York World’s fair in 1939 and he has illustrated many books with his wood engravings such as: Macbeth, A Pocketful of Canada, Southern Cross, War and Peace, etc.
(An artist proof is an early printing of a new work to confirm its quality. As the artist produces more examples of work the definition from the original block deteriorates making higher numbered examples lose some of the sharpness and clarity of expression; the earlier the example the more desirable the print.)
