Elizabeth Blackadder – Signed By Elizabeth Blackadder With Mercury Gallery Exhibition Invitation

Author: Judith Bumpus
Price: £125
Publisher: Phaidon, Oxford, UK
Edition: First edition
Publication Date: 1988
Format: Original cloth gilt. Dustwrapper
Condition: Fine in very near fine dustwrapper
Pages: 96

Description:

A detailed and well-illustrated monograph on her work. Binding nice and tight. Pages very nice and clean. A fine, tight, clean copy in very near fine dustwrapper which is very slightly creased to the head of the rear panel. Signed in pen by Elizabeth Blackadder to the half title. Mercury Gallery Exhibition Invitation dated 1988 loosely inserted. A very nice copy indeed.

Elizabeth Blackadder: A Short Biography

Elizabeth Blackadder (1931–2021) was a renowned Scottish painter and printmaker known for her delicate and evocative depictions of flowers, landscapes, still lifes, and cats. She was celebrated for her artistic versatility and her work spanned various mediums, including watercolour, oil, and printmaking. Blackadder holds a significant place in 20th-century British art and is often recognised as one of Scotland’s most distinguished artists.

Key Aspects of Her Life and Career:

1. Early Life and Education:
   • Elizabeth Violet Blackadder was born in Falkirk, Scotland, in 1931. She studied at the Edinburgh College of Art (ECA), where she was taught by notable artists such as Sir William Gillies and Robert Henderson Blyth.
   • After her studies, she received several scholarships, which allowed her to travel and develop her style. Trips to Italy, Spain, and Yugoslavia had a significant influence on her work.
2. Artistic Style:
   • Watercolour and Oils: Blackadder was particularly well-known for her watercolours, which are characterized by their precision and lightness of touch. Her oil paintings, though more structured, retained a similar sensitivity.
   • Botanical Studies: She is most famous for her flower paintings, often featuring meticulously detailed depictions of tulips, irises, orchids, and other flora. Blackadder’s flower paintings have been compared to botanical illustrations because of their accuracy, yet they also have a subtle poetic quality that elevates them beyond mere representation.
   • Still Life and Cats: Aside from flowers, her works often featured still life compositions that included everyday objects and animals, especially her beloved cats. Her cat paintings are playful and engaging, capturing the character and behaviour of the animals in a lively way.
   • Japanese Influence: She was deeply influenced by Japanese art and culture, and this can be seen in her minimalist compositions, attention to detail, and use of negative space. Japanese art particularly influenced her later works, both in subject matter and in stylistic approach.
3. Recognition and Achievements:
   • Blackadder was the first woman to be elected to both the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) and the Royal Academy of Arts (RA) in London. This was a significant achievement, highlighting her influence and respect in the art world.
   • In 2001, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her contributions to art.
   • Her works have been exhibited widely, both in the UK and internationally, and are held in numerous public and private collections, including the Tate, the Scottish National Gallery, and the British Museum.
4. Themes and Approach:
   • Blackadder’s work is often described as serene and meditative. Whether she was painting flowers, landscapes, or animals, her attention to detail and composition created a sense of calm and order.
   • Her art also reflects a deep appreciation for the natural world, a theme she explored throughout her career.
5. Legacy:
   • Blackadder’s influence on Scottish art, particularly in watercolour and still life, remains strong. She is often regarded as one of Scotland’s finest modern artists, and her works continue to be celebrated for their beauty, precision, and emotional depth.
   • Her long career and consistent output of high-quality work ensured that she left behind a significant body of art that continues to inspire future generations.

Elizabeth Blackadder’s art, with its quiet, contemplative beauty, remains beloved by both art critics and the general public. Her unique ability to blend precision with artistic expression earned her a lasting legacy in the world of contemporary art.

Elizabeth Blackadder And Mercury Gallery: A Short Account

Elizabeth Blackadder had a long and significant relationship with the Mercury Gallery, which was a prominent gallery in London, known for representing leading British artists. Blackadder’s association with the gallery helped to elevate her career, allowing her works to reach a wider audience and gain increased recognition in the art world.

Key Points of Elizabeth Blackadder and the Mercury Gallery:

1. Exhibitions at the Mercury Gallery:
   • Blackadder frequently exhibited her work at the Mercury Gallery, which was instrumental in showcasing her paintings and prints throughout the 1970s and beyond.
   • The gallery gave Blackadder a platform to present her distinctive style, particularly her watercolours of flowers, still life’s, and landscapes. These exhibitions were well-received, and they played a crucial role in her growing popularity in the London art scene.
   • Her shows at the Mercury Gallery included a variety of works, from her Japanese-inspired minimalistic pieces to her beloved floral studies and depictions of cats, which were favourites of collectors.
2. Support and Representation:
   • The Mercury Gallery was known for its commitment to supporting contemporary British artists, and its long-term representation of Blackadder helped cement her reputation as a leading figure in modern Scottish art.
   • The gallery’s focus on quality and thoughtful curation helped present Blackadder’s work in a serious, yet accessible way, which drew the attention of both art critics and the general public.
3. Promotion of Blackadder’s Work:
   • Through the gallery, Blackadder’s works reached a diverse clientele, including private collectors, institutions, and museums. The gallery’s promotion of her work expanded her influence beyond Scotland, firmly establishing her as a national figure in British art.
   • The Mercury Gallery also helped distribute her prints, which became highly collectible and further broadened her appeal.
4. Enduring Impact:
   • The partnership between Blackadder and the Mercury Gallery is often seen as one of the key factors in her career development. The gallery’s ongoing promotion of her art ensured that her work remained in the public eye and solidified her standing in the art world, particularly in London, where the gallery was based.

In short, the Mercury Gallery played an important role in Elizabeth Blackadder’s artistic journey, giving her the visibility and support necessary to develop her career, and showcasing her talent to a broader audience both in the UK and internationally. The gallery’s promotion of her work contributed to her legacy as one of the most important Scottish artists of the 20th century.

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