Senate House

Location

Country: Korea, Republic of (South Korea)
City: Seoul
Place: British Embassy

Using his signature graphic style of bold black outlines and contrasting tones, these linoleum block prints by Walter Hoyle are from the Cambridge Series, a set of ten prints that he made in the mid 1960s. Hoyle’s work represents the architectural features and decoration of King's College and Senate House, two Cambridge college buildings in a striking and observant style.

Senate House, the subject of this print, was designed by Sir James Burrell and built in 1722–1730 by architect James Gibbs in the neoclassical style using Portland stone, is an epic construction. Rich in symbolism, the building is an important gateway for new students to the university – Senate House is where the University’s Senate Council holds meetings and where graduating students receive their degrees.

Born in Rushton, Lancashire, Walter Hoyle studied at Beckenham School of Art between 1940 and 1942 and at the Royal College of Art, London, from 1947 to 1948. On graduating he went to the Byzantine Institute in Istanbul, an experience which he said was an important influence in his work. Hoyle taught at St Martin's School of Art, London, from 1951 until 1960 and Central School of Arts and Crafts, London, from 1960 to 1964. In 1964, he moved to Cambridge and taught at the Cambridge School of Art, placing an emphasis on printmaking. He remained at Cambridge School of Art until his retirement in 1985. During the latter period of his career he launched Cambridge Print Editions. Work was also commissioned from Hoyle by Editions Alecto, Christie’s Contemporary Art and the Folio Society. Examples of his work are held in the Tate Collection, the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Places

England, Cambridgeshire

Subjects

urn, topography, townscape/cityscape, railing, university, house, window

Materials & Techniques

block print

Artist

Walter Hoyle (1922 - 2000)

Title

Senate House

Portfolio Title

Cambridge Series

Edition

49/75

Date

1965-6

Medium

Block print

Dimensions

height: 64.50 cm, width: 89.50 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Editions Alecto, January 1971

Inscription

below image: 49/75 / Artists proof / Senate House / Walter Hoyle

Provenance

Editions Alecto

GAC number

L730