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§ Michael Rothenstein, RA Rothenstein, RA (British, 1908-1993) The Red House (and Road Signs) signed 'Michael Rothenstein' (lower right); numbered 8/25 lino-cut 48.50 x 75.50cm (19 x 29in) Other Notes: Born in Hampstead in 1908, Michael Rothenstein studied at the Central School of Arts and Crafts, gaining his first solo show at the Warren Gallery in 1931. In the early 1940s,he moved to Great Bardfield, and took an active part in organising the Great Barfield Artist exhibitions throughout the 1950s. Like many of his fellow Great Bardfield artists, Rothenstein's work was initially figurative, however it became more abstract in the following years, taking inspiration from Graham Sutherland's Welsh landscapes, continental abstraction, and the work of Picasso. One of his most defining moments came in 1952, when he travelled to Atelier 17 - the printing studio established by Stanley William Hayter. Many of his 1950s prints portrayed traditional painting subjects drawn from the surrounding country side and agricultural community, albeit in an innovate manner often combining relief printing with more unusual materials and abstract symbols. Rothenstein found this subject particularly fascinating, having elaborated with much enthusiasm on the inspirational power of the 'beautiful abstract geometry' of his local farmyards (Gill Saunders & Malcolm Yorke, 'Bawden, Ravilious and the Artists of Great Bardfield',V&A Publishing in association with the Fry Art Gallery, 2015, p.149). Farm machinery and the cockerel are recurring symbols throughout his work, the latter of which appealed to the artist on account of the 'extraordinary drama' of its appearance and the vividly coloured 'image of violence' it presented (Saunders & Yorke, 2015, p.151).There are 5 small puncture tears, two of which are located in the centre towards the bottom right corner. Further tearing can be found diagonally above this and further towards the bottom left. There is also yellowing the original paper consistent with age.
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