Shadow Crucifixion (1960)
An original abstract expressionist oil on board by David Holt
Author
Publisher
Printing Details
Painted in 1960, this is an oil on board in a wooden frame (but not glazed), the frame has had a lightly limed to the outside and with a pencil margin drawn in close to the board. The frame measures 120 × 68.5cms and the painting is 116 × 64cms.
This is a work of abstract expressionism, depicting a dark shadowy figure against the shape of crosses, with a secondary figure painted in orange. The painting is open to interpretation as to who and where is the shadow and who or what is casting it. The main figure is painted in black with the background figure and shapes in shades of oranges and reds.
Signed and dated by David Holt lower right to board.
David Holt (1928–2014). Born in Hythe, Kent. Painter and Lecturer in Art. After National Service, he trained at the Canterbury School of Art, the Hammersmith School of Art and the Royal Academy Schools where he was awarded a medal for drawing and the Knapping Prize. He joined a studio-workshop with Gerald Holtom (designer of the CND symbol) in 1958 where he designed and produced proscenium curtains for schools. In 1958 he was awarded a Harkness Fellowship and travelled across America, producing many drawings and prints of the Pueblo Indians and their life-dance in Santa Fe in New Mexico, where he also worked with artist Agnes Sims. He returned to England in 1960 and continued to paint and work on large textile appliques for schools, churches, and private houses including Spade House in Kent, the former home of H G Wells.
He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 1962, and in 1964 was commissioned to design and make a large textile applique 'Christ in Majesty' which still hangs in the chapel of Christ Church College in Canterbury.
He was Head of Art at Canterbury Christ Church University until his retirement in 1995. He exhibited widely in the UK and the States and worked with many art societies and summer schools across East Kent.
His work can be found in both private and public collections throughout the UK and America, including the Yale Centre for British Art. His painting "Coastal Watcher" was recently used for the dustwrapper on Modernism and Memory: Rhoda Pritzker and the Art of Collecting (Yale University Press, 2016).
Condition
The painting is in good general condition. It remains bright but with minor areas of surface paint loss but not affecting the the impact of the image. The frame generally good but dusty and discoloured, with a small water stain to the lower horizontal. Some movement of the board in the frame along the sides.
Please ask about international postage but the size will make it expensive.
Price
£300.00
