Edward Calvert The Chamber Idyll 1831
Edward Calvert was a British artist born in 1799 . He was trained in the Royal Academy as a painter and had a distinguished career as traditional painter of his era. But in his early years, he also learned wood and copper engraving as a member of a group of artists who were followers of visionary artist and poet William Blake. They called themselves The Ancients.
It was during this time that Calvert created a series of prints from his engravings that are considered visionary masterpieces. I know that when I look at them they seem to be out of time and almost modern in feel, certainly not something you would expect to see from Britain in the 1820’s. His last engraving from this time was The Chamber Idyll, shown at the top, finished in 1831. It is considered his masterpiece and would be the last print he ever did, abandoning printmaking altogether to pursue his career as a painter.
He didn’t carry the visionary feel of his early print work into his paintings, choosing to work in the traditional style of the time. While he had a long career as a painter, his painted work is not considered in the nearly the same regard as his prints which are considered to be some of the most important British prints made. I think they are pretty wonderful and find myself just staring at them, taking in each composition’s design and use of space within the picture. Just beautiful…
The Sheep of his Pasture circa 1828 Edward Calvert
Edward Calvert- The Ploughman 1827
Edward Calvert The Brook 1829
Edward Calvert -The Lady and the Rooks 1829
Edward Calvert -The Flood 1829
Edward Calvert -The Cyder Feast 1828
Edward Calvert -The Bride 1828
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