Henry Dent, artist (1911-1935)
Self-portrait (oil on plywood)
In 1932 my uncle Harry graduated from York School of Arts and Crafts, and by 1935 had become a member of the teaching staff. In May of that year he caught a chill while sketching and died in his sleep of 'congestion of the lungs'. Most of his work has been retained by his siblings' families and includes paintings in oil and water colour, as well as numerous drawings and sketches, and a few experiments in ceramics and textile. These show the influence of various contemporary art movements that were undergoing exciting developments following the First World War.
In 1932 my uncle Harry graduated from York School of Arts and Crafts, and by 1935 had become a member of the teaching staff. In May of that year he caught a chill while sketching and died in his sleep of 'congestion of the lungs'. Most of his work has been retained by his siblings' families and includes paintings in oil and water colour, as well as numerous drawings and sketches, and a few experiments in ceramics and textile. These show the influence of various contemporary art movements that were undergoing exciting developments following the First World War.
TRAINING
TRAINING
Even as an eleven-year-old Harry showed promise and was awarded ‘excellent’ in his school report for Nature Drawing, Object Drawing and Brushwork. From fifteen until twenty-one he studied at the City of York School of Arts and Crafts, for which he studied a wide aspect of drawing, painting and design skills.
Even as an eleven-year-old Harry showed promise and was awarded ‘excellent’ in his school report for Nature Drawing, Object Drawing and Brushwork. From fifteen until twenty-one he studied at the City of York School of Arts and Crafts, for which he studied a wide aspect of drawing, painting and design skills.
Harry’s surviving portfolio of course work show how much Art Deco was in vogue at the time of his study. This is particularly clear in the book plate and dress designs shown here. Not only did he design clothes, but he was also able to make them and the gown shown here is modelled by his younger sister, Alice.
Harry’s surviving portfolio of course work show how much Art Deco was in vogue at the time of his study. This is particularly clear in the book plate and dress designs shown here. Not only did he design clothes, but he was also able to make them and the gown shown here is modelled by his younger sister, Alice.
Bookplate design (watercolour on paper)
Harry’s skills as a draughtsman are amply demonstrated in a range of drawings, covering architecture, plants, anatomy and live models.
Harry’s skills as a draughtsman are amply demonstrated in a range of drawings, covering architecture, plants, anatomy and live models.
Harry's naturalistic paintings equally show his eye for perspective and skill with watercolour and oil paint, as shown by these landscapes and still life works.
Harry's naturalistic paintings equally show his eye for perspective and skill with watercolour and oil paint, as shown by these landscapes and still life works.
Museum Gardens, York (watercolour on paper)
The Violin (oil on plywood)
Deanery Gardens, York (watercolour on paper)
View with a chair (oil on plywood)
Gillygate, York from the Bar Walls (watercolour)
In the early 1930s Harry and his sister Joan followed developments in the art world through BBC lectures by J E Barton, Eric Newton and the writings of Herbert Read. As he completed his studies at the School of Arts and Crafts and joined the staff there, Harry began to experiment with imaginative works very much influenced by the growing interest in surrealism. This is particularly evident from the works he was involved with at the time of his death, shortly before which he created a stir at the Spring Show of York Arts Society with a painting entitled The Birth of Eve. His premature death cut short his career and whatever might have followed the works that have been left to us.
In the early 1930s Harry and his sister Joan followed developments in the art world through BBC lectures by J E Barton, Eric Newton and the writings of Herbert Read. As he completed his studies at the School of Arts and Crafts and joined the staff there, Harry began to experiment with imaginative works very much influenced by the growing interest in surrealism. This is particularly evident from the works he was involved with at the time of his death, shortly before which he created a stir at the Spring Show of York Arts Society with a painting entitled The Birth of Eve. His premature death cut short his career and whatever might have followed the works that have been left to us.
The Birth of Eve (oil)
Baptism (oil on plywood)
Evolution (oil on plywood)
Spring (oil on plywood)
