King’s College Chapel

Location

Country: Other
City: other locations abroad

Using his signature graphic style of bold black outlines and contrasting tones, this linoleum blockprint by Walter Hoyle is from the Cambridge Series, a series of ten prints that he made in the mid 1960s. Hoyle’s work represents the architectural features and decoration of two Cambridge college buildings in a striking and observant style.

In King’s College, Chapel Porch Hoyle’s focus on the arched doorway reveals his appreciation of the Byzantine style which exerted great influence on Western Romanesque architecture. King’s College Chapel was founded in the 14th century by Henry VI (1421-71) and took over a century to build. The bold, arched form of the Chapel Porch at King’s College, surrounded by heraldic figures and rosettes, is monumental in its impression. 

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

topography, townscape/cityscape, chapel, church, church windows, facade, tracery

Materials & Techniques

block print

Artist

Walter Hoyle (1922 - 2000)

Title

King’s College Chapel

Portfolio Title

Cambridge Series

Edition

32/75

Date

1965-6

Medium

Block print

Acquisition

Purchased from Editions Alecto, February 1972

Inscription

below image: 32/75 / King's College Chapel / Artists Proof Walter Hoyle

Provenance

Editions Alecto

GAC number

L733