John Platt, a leading exponent of the colour woodcut, exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1913. He was renowned for his timely appropriation of Japanese printmaking, which was becoming popular in Europe. Platt also designed murals and interior decoration, including work for All Saints Church in Leek, Staffordshire. He was a gifted teacher, taking up his first post at Leek College of Art and then the Royal College of Art in 1910. In the 1920s he was the Principal at Leicester School of Art and then at Blackheath School in London. Platt always enjoyed sketching nautical coastal scenes. As an official war artist, during the Second World War, his paintings faithfully recorded British naval activities for the Ministry of War Transport.
After the death of his wife, in 1949, Platt's artistic output dwindled. He is remembered also as a medallist, stained glass artist, and sculptor. Below is a a lovely example of his woodcut art from 1927. It is titled "Red Chestnut No. 1"
We are indebted to the Cat Museum of San Francisco for this whimsical print.
No comments:
Post a Comment