mountshang: Kineton Parkes and British Sculpture

In 1931, the British art critic, Kineton Parkes, published a two-volume survey of 20th Century sculpture called "The Art of Carved Sculpture" -- in which he presented and discussed the "most significant" (i.e. those whom he likes best) direct stone carvers of his time. (i.e. those who design the piece while carving it -- rather than executing a stone copy of a clay model.)

There was a certain enthusiasm for this procedure at this time -- it was felt to be more classical - i.e. more natural -- while it also attached to enthusiasms for decoration and craftsmanship.

I'm not sure that I share that enthusiasm -- but what I do share - by in large -- is KP's taste in sculpture. For artists with whom I was already familiar, I think he's chosen the best examples -- and for those of whom I'd never heard --- I'm so glad he's introduced them to me !Probably 50% of the sculptors that he discusses were completely unknown to me -- and I've been exploring this period in some detail for the past five years.

I'm showing the British sculptors first -- and all of the ones shown below were completely new to me. (and BTW -- there's little or nothing for any of them on the internet)