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Belfry Steps

Print
1936 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Robert Sargent Austin, R.A. (1895-1973) was a printmaker, draughtsman, book illustrator and watercolorist, as well as a designer of posters. Born in Leicester, where he attended the School of Art 1909-13; he went on to study and later to teach at the Royal College of Art. He was also an official war artist in World War II. He was highly skilled draughtsman best known for his exquisite etchings and engravings, mostly of animals, birds and plants, domestic scenes, figure subjects (often religious), and also landscapes.

This is one from a gift of 50 prints - mostly etchings - which cover the whole range of Austin's subject matter. Many of the prints are annotated by Austin himself, and several are proofs, or early states. The prints are works of art in their own right, but also offer valuable evidence of Austin's working methods, and the practice of etching and engraving as a fine art practice in the 1920s and 1930s.


Object details

Category
Object type
TitleBelfry Steps (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Engraving
Brief description
Engraving by Robert Austin entitled 'Belfry Steps'. Great Britain, 1936.
Physical description
Engraving entitled 'Belfry Steps' depicting an elderly figure climbing a narrow, spiral, stone staircase. They are wearing a heavy overcoat with a fur lining, and carry a large bunch of keys around their neck. A rope dangles from the timber casement on the right.
Dimensions
  • Height: 28.4cm (sheet)
  • Width: 22.5cm (sheet)
Dimensions taken from departmental notes
Marks and inscriptions
  • RSA (Signed in plate)
  • 5th state 3 proofs New stipple on shoes, on steps shine on beam at top 25 AP 1936 (Production details and date; all in pencil.)
Credit line
Given by Rachel Austin and Clare Calder
Subjects depicted
Summary
Robert Sargent Austin, R.A. (1895-1973) was a printmaker, draughtsman, book illustrator and watercolorist, as well as a designer of posters. Born in Leicester, where he attended the School of Art 1909-13; he went on to study and later to teach at the Royal College of Art. He was also an official war artist in World War II. He was highly skilled draughtsman best known for his exquisite etchings and engravings, mostly of animals, birds and plants, domestic scenes, figure subjects (often religious), and also landscapes.

This is one from a gift of 50 prints - mostly etchings - which cover the whole range of Austin's subject matter. Many of the prints are annotated by Austin himself, and several are proofs, or early states. The prints are works of art in their own right, but also offer valuable evidence of Austin's working methods, and the practice of etching and engraving as a fine art practice in the 1920s and 1930s.
Collection
Accession number
E.527-2007

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Record createdJuly 10, 2009
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