David Jones
Samuel Taylor Coleridge – The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner VII – Original Copper Engraving By David Jones
£295.00Jones, David & Coleridge, Samuel Taylor
Samuel Taylor Coleridge – The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner III – Original Copper Engraving By David Jones
£295.00Jones, David & Coleridge, Samuel Taylor
Samuel Taylor Coleridge – The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner VI – Original Copper Engraving By David Jones
£295.00Jones, David & Coleridge, Samuel Taylor
Samuel Taylor Coleridge – The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner I – Original Copper Engraving By David Jones
£295.00Jones, David & Coleridge, Samuel Taylor
Samuel Taylor Coleridge – The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner II – Original Copper Engraving By David Jones
£295.00Jones, David & Coleridge, Samuel Taylor
Samuel Taylor Coleridge – The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner V – Original Copper Engraving By David Jones
£295.00Jones, David & Coleridge, Samuel Taylor
Samuel Taylor Coleridge – The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner VIII – Original Copper Engraving By David Jones
£295.00Jones, David & Coleridge, Samuel Taylor
Samuel Taylor Coleridge – The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner VI – Original Copper Engraving By David Jones
£295.00Jones, David & Coleridge, Samuel Taylor
Samuel Taylor Coleridge – The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner I – Original Copper Engraving By David Jones
£295.00Jones, David & Coleridge, Samuel Taylor
David Jones: A Short Biography
David Jones (1895–1974) was a renowned British artist, poet, and essayist, celebrated for his significant contributions to both visual and literary art in the 20th century. His work spans painting, engraving, poetry, and literary criticism, and he is often associated with the Modernist movement. Jones’s art and writing are deeply infused with themes of mythology, history, religion, and the trauma of war.
Early Life and Education
David Jones was born on November 1, 1895, in Brockley, Kent, to a Welsh father and an English mother. His Welsh heritage had a lasting impact on his creative output, as he often drew on Welsh history and culture. From a young age, Jones exhibited a passion for drawing, leading him to study at the Camberwell School of Art between 1909 and 1915. His formal training instilled a foundation in traditional and modern artistic techniques.
World War I Experience
The outbreak of World War I interrupted his art studies. In 1915, Jones enlisted in the Royal Welch Fusiliers and served on the Western Front until 1918. His experiences in the trenches left an indelible mark on him, profoundly influencing his later artwork and poetry. These harrowing experiences provided the inspiration for his epic poem In Parenthesis (1937), which vividly captures the camaraderie, suffering, and spiritual significance of life on the battlefield. In Parenthesis was widely praised and even recognised by T.S. Eliot as a “work of genius.”
Art and the Ditchling Community
After the war, Jones returned to his artistic pursuits, joining the Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic in Ditchling, Sussex, an artistic and religious community led by the sculptor and engraver Eric Gill. During this period, he converted to Roman Catholicism in 1921, and his faith became a recurring theme in his art and writing. The influence of the community’s emphasis on craftsmanship and spiritual values is evident in his meticulously detailed engravings and calligraphic inscriptions.
Artistic Achievements
David Jones excelled in various artistic media, including painting, wood and copper engraving, and watercolour. His watercolours are known for their luminous quality and often depict landscapes, seascapes, and scenes infused with historical and mythological references. His engravings are celebrated for their intricate detail, combining traditional techniques with a modern sensibility. Many of his works, such as his illustrations for The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, demonstrate his ability to blend text and image, imbuing both with deeper symbolic meanings.
Jones’s art often reflects his fascination with history, Christian iconography, and the natural world, as well as his interest in the intersection of the spiritual and the temporal. He had a unique ability to imbue his works with a profound sense of mystery and sacredness.
Literary Contributions
In addition to In Parenthesis, Jones wrote The Anathemata (1952), a dense and ambitious poetic work that explores themes of history, myth, and religion. The poem reflects his complex worldview, in which the sacred and the historical are intertwined. The Anathemata is considered a challenging but richly rewarding text, full of allusions to classical mythology, Christian theology, and British history.
Jones also produced numerous essays and writings on art and culture. His prose and poetry are known for their intricate structure, erudite references, and meditative tone, reflecting his deep engagement with cultural, historical, and religious themes.
Later Life and Legacy
In his later years, Jones suffered from poor health and mental anguish, including depression and the effects of his war trauma. He lived in relative seclusion in Harrow and later in Highgate, London, where he continued to write and create art with the support of friends and admirers. Despite his struggles, his influence on both the literary and artistic worlds grew. He died on October 28, 1974, in Harrow.
David Jones’s legacy is that of a uniquely multifaceted artist whose work continues to captivate and challenge audiences. His ability to merge visual art and poetry into a unified, symbolic vision remains a subject of study and admiration. He is celebrated for the depth and complexity of his vision, and his works remain essential reading and viewing for anyone interested in the convergence of art, literature, and spirituality.
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