Revisiting the Dalziel Brothers

Pictured above: a recent studio view with the block of the linocut, Lotus, on the press bed, followed by a closeup of the lino block and the completed print.

Lotus is one of nine limited-edition prints, lovingly carved and hand-printed in my Ballarat atelier over the past several months, that draw their inspiration from the astonishingly multi-faceted work of British Arts and Crafts designer, May Morris. 

At the time of making these works, I briefly considered incorporating selected areas of colour, as I occasionally do in my linocuts. But then I recalled my copy of Pre-Raphaelite Illustrations, a much treasured little book I purchased in London in 1978, the year of its publication. The book comprises a selection of wood engravings by the Dalziel Brothers based on works by Pre-Raphaelite Brothers Dante Gabriel Rossetti, John Everett Millais and William Holman Hunt. The subtlety and richness of the Dalziel Brothers’ wood engravings convinced me that in this instance, the addition of colour would be superfluous. Coincidentally, Laurie Benson, Curator of International Art at the National Gallery of Victoria, showed some examples of the Dalziel Brothers’ work in the collection of NGV in his terrifically informative, packed-out talk last Saturday afternoon. 

In advance of my Melbourne solo show in 2024, all nine linocuts are available in limited numbers, exclusive to the Gallery Shop at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, until the current exhibitions, Pre-Raphaelites Drawings & Watercolours and In the Company of Morris end on 6 August. 

The prints can be purchased either in person or online, at:

https://www.artgalleryofballarat.com.au/shop/category/pre-raphaelites-in-the-company-of-morris.

Tulips

  

 

Pictured above: An accumulation of lino blocks on the work table, the makings of an upcoming artist book inspired by the works of May Morris. In the foreground are Lotus and the partially carved Tulips.

The tattoo in Tulips is based on a detail from Tulip, an embroidered sideboard runner designed by May Morris for Morris & Co. in 1890. (Bottom right page view directly below).

Further progress views of Tulips follow:

Lotus - further progress views

Heading slowly in the direction of an artist book inspired by the work of May Morris (1862-1938).

Pictured above is the latest completed lino block, followed by views of the cutting process. The basis for my protagonist’s body decoration is a fragment of Lotus, an embroidered panel, one of a pair attributed to May Morris for Morris & Co, circa 1885. (A detail is shown in the final image below).

For earlier progress views, scroll down to Blog Post Monday, January 23, or go HERE.

Lotus - early progress views

Pictured above and below: another lino block prepared for carving. Body decoration is based in part on Lotus, a panel or curtain (one of a pair) attributed to May Morris and embroidered by Morris & Co, circa 1895.

As previously mentioned, before carving, I coat the block with a coloured drawing ink, making it possible to see carved areas - particularly the fine lines - more clearly.