Water Butt, Simpkin’s Cottage Print by Kenneth Rowntree

After training in London, Rowntree lived in Great Bardfield, next door to Edward Bawden. He became one of the famous Great Bardfield Artists (a group which included Bawden, Ravilious, Rothenstein and Robinson, see Biographies). After a year he moved nearby, to Simpkin’s Cottage, in the village of Lindsell. This is an outside view of the Cottage, with water butt, window, and door. The picture can be read in two ways: as representational, depicting the realities of water butt; door; window; screen; garden and moon. Or it can be seen as a series of geometrical forms: rectangles of striking white, yellow, brown, and silver, set in rich black: an abstract tableau. This is very much in keeping with Rowntree’s output: he converses with the modern, constructivist idiom (see Biography) yet stays within the boundaries of the recognisable image. And as elsewhere, there’s a personal touch: a horseshoe, balanced atop the door, carefully placed upright for good luck.

Giclée print, Limited Edition (1/950) on 310gms thick, 100% cotton rag. Hand-numbered and hand-embossed.