Clare Leighton's Rural Life

Clare Leighton was a renowned wood engraver who captured the essence of rural life in Britain and North America. She portrayed rural men and women and the ancient methods they used to work the land, and her books illustrating and describing rural life in the United States and Canada are less well known. This anthology includes beautifully reproduced extracts and a detailed introduction to her life and work.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 19 October 2023
Publisher: Bodleian Library

Clare Leighton, a renowned wood engraver of her era, created a remarkable body of work that captured the essence of her rural life in Britain and North America. As the world around her underwent a significant technological, industrial, and urban transformation during the 1930s, Leighton chose to focus her artistic lens on the rural communities and the traditional ways of life that were rapidly disappearing. Her two most beloved publications, "The Farmers Year" and "Four Hedges," vividly depicted the lives of rural men and women and the ancient methods they employed to cultivate the land that would soon be lost forever.

While her contributions to British countryside art are well-known, Leighton's books illustrating and describing rural life in the United States of America are less familiar. After emigrating to the United States in 1945, she became a naturalized citizen and dedicated her time to capturing the essence of American rural culture. Her works, such as "Southern Harvest" and "Where Land Meets Sea: The Tide Line of Cape Cod," offered a unique perspective on the lives of farmers and fishermen in the region.

In addition to her artistic endeavors, Leighton also spent time in Canada, immersing herself in the logging community and earning the respect of Canadian lumberjacks by adopting their way of life. Her wood engravings depicting lumberjacks in the snow-covered forests of Canada are among her most evocative and powerful prints. This comprehensive anthology includes beautifully reproduced extracts from Leighton's works, along with a detailed introduction that provides insight into her life and artistic journey. It reflects Leighton's lifelong fascination with the virtues of the countryside and the hardworking people who cultivated the land.

Through her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to capture the spirit of rural life, Clare Leighton left an indelible mark on the world of art. Her legacy continues to inspire and captivate audiences, reminding us of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage and the beauty of the natural world.

Weight: 758g
Dimension: 250 x 198 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781851246120