The Impressed Image
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Paul Drury (British 1903-1987)
Three Etchings by a very fine artist whose output of 92 plates between 1922 and 1975 is not widely
known, partly because of the uneditioned nature of much of his later work and also due to wide variety
of other interests and talents that diverted him from promoting his own artistic talents. Born in
London of a Sculptor father, he studied art at Goldsmiths College, having contemporaries such as
Larkins, Sutherland, Hoyton and Tanner. He was also in contact with Griggs, and the early pastoral
work of all this group has a broad similarity showing their common influence by Samual Palmer. He
taught art for most of his career, being Principal of Goldsmiths College before he retired. A fine
teacher, poet, wit and musician, he was President of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers
1970-1975. Although most generally known for his landscapes (September and Nicols Farm), his output
was primarily portraiture of high quality. These four are typical examples. Nicols farm shows his
similarity to Sutherlands early work - they accompanied each other on etching trips and Sutherlands
'Pecken Wood' is based on the adjacent property. I bought this for next to nothing as it was
helpfully mis-catalogued by Bonhams. Robin Garton was working on a Catalogue Raisonne when Drury died.
It was published in 1992.
Head of a Negro
Etching 1925 125x101mm Published edition of about 55. Illustrated FPOTY 1925
G.15
First Italian Head
Etching with Engraving 1928. 6 states. Edition of 55. 174x137mm
G.25 The sitter was Luigi de Lucca
Head of an Old Man
Etching 1926. 4 states. Edition of 50. 93x93mm
G.19 The Sitter was a Herr Humm
A Man of Fifty
Etching 1928. 3 states. Edition of 78. 145x130mm
G.23 Sitter was Domenico Mancini - a professional artists model
Nicols Farm
Etching 1925. 5 states. Edition of 80. 111x192mm
G.18 This farm was adjacent to his grandmothers house on Hayling Island
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