| Henry Saxon | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Henry Saxon |
| Born | 16 August 1918 Lancashire, England |
| Died | 3 October 2005 (aged 87) England |
| Nationality | British |
| Field | Painter |
| Training | Manchester School of Art |
| Movement | Miniatures |
| Awards | Gold Memorial Bowl |
Henry Saxon (16 August 1918 – 3 October 2005)[1] was an artist specialising in Miniature (illuminated manuscript). His paintings typically comprised verse or biblical text set in fine borders with one or more inset illustrative pictures.
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Henry Saxon was born in Ashton-under-Lyne in 1918 and as he grew up his grandfather encouraged him to follow his artistic talent. At the age of fourteen he joined the Manchester School of Art and studied art and, in particular, calligraphy.[2]
At 21, Henry joined the Army Medical Corps, married at 23 and lived in Africa until the end of the World War II. He then returned to England to join his wife Agnes. In 1940 he produced most of the 67 illustrations for a medical text on radiography: 'The Handbook of Radiography' by John A. Ross MA(Camb), MRSC (Eng), LRCP (Lond), DMRE (L'pool). Published by HK Lewis & Co London, 1940. [3]
After the war his only child Moira was born and he returned to work in the printing industry where he was introduced to John Spencer, Hon. RMS, who introduced him to miniature art and his niche speciality of miniature illuminated calligraphy started.[4]
In 1985 he was elected to Associate Membership of the Royal Miniature Society after a number of years exhibiting with them and also helping with the production of their magazine. Two years later he was awarded the prestigious Gold Memorial Bowl. He has also won the Gordon Drummond and the Fairman members subject miniature awards, is a founder member of the Hilliard society of miniaturists and was elected as a Signature member of the Miniature Artists of America winning awards in Georgia and Florida.[5]
Through his life, Henry produced many hundreds of miniatures. The calligraphy is typically exquisite, normally of poems or passages of scripture and beautifully set.[4]
The work starts with the draft text using a fine lead pencil, sanded to an even sharper point. Then with specially adapted pens, ground down by hand to produce a fine tip the text is completed and any gold leaf brushed onto the required sections. Then the borders and any paintings are incorporated.[6]
Depiction of a song written and popularised by Elton John. Classically illuminated first letter G with a gold border and scroll text title. Heraldic roses, approximately 18, decorate and tumble around the relatively 'large' illuminated and highly decorative intial letter G; note the white burning candle in the centre of the G. A very fine line border in gold leaf, decorative at 2 of the corners, surrounds the whole illumination and text. This illuminated script was painted after the funeral of Diana Princess of Wales in 1997, at which the song was sung by its composer Sir Elton John.
A totally unique oval miniature of the head of the Virgin Mary with a gold crown. This miniature is painted in an icon style. Scrolled wording of Mary's words: "My soul magnifies the Lord" at the base of the miniature. Henry constantly looked for new ways of expression to enhance the calligraphy text he chose, and this is an unusual and strong demonstration of this trait.
An oval miniature with biblical text, a border of scrollwork in autumnal colours growing in intensity to the base of the oval. Classic symplicity.
Silver by Walter De La Mare
The very delicate illustration, title and initial letters of each verse are in blue on a white background. The title is set in the top boarder which includes objects which are hinted at, you have to delve into this miniature and explore it to discover these. This miniature was placed in an exhibition of miniatures by seventeen contemporary miniatursts at the Medici Galleries in Grafton Street, Bond Street, London in 1985. This is the only miniature by Henry Saxon that has been printed and reproduced.
Thou Who wast Rich Beyond all Splendour
Three verses of a hymn by Bishop Frank Houghton (1894-1972)describing the mystery of the Incarnation of Christ. The two small miniature illustrations depict the splendour of the Godhead at the top and the lowly nativity scene at the bottom. The border is in a rich blue with scroll work of gold leaf draws attention to the reference of 'saphire-paved courts'. The nativity has similarities to one within a group of pictures from a English manuscript "Psalter: ms. Arundel 83, British Musem Six scenes from the childhood of Christ, folio 124 R." of the 14th century at the British Musem, A plate of which is within Treasures of Illumination English Manuscripts of the Fourteenth Century (c1250 to 1400) described by The Rev. Canon F. Harrison, MA, FSA Chancellor and Librarian of York Minster. (1937) London: The studio Ltd. New York: The Studio Publications Inc.
Note on Piano Key Miniatures
An old piano was left outside a house in Harrow, ready for refuse. The keys were examined and found to be ivory. Henry sought permission to keep the unworn and unchipped keys. Most of the piano key sized miniatures he crafted were on ivory from this source.
A Windmill with brick factory chimneys in the background (now demolished). Sense of power of the wind depicted in the clouds and the contrast of the golden calm of harvest gathered in. (Piano key)
Two miniatures were painted of this text on piano keys for his first wife Agnes, one with a predominance of reds and the other with blues. Exceptional detail on a very small 'canvas'. (Piano key)
A red background, the colour of love, which has edging at times straight and at other points intricately and interestingly curved. The short text is presented on 2 scrolls but the centrepiece is an unending knot presented in gold leaf. (Piano key)
"Treasure" features on the cover of The Magic of Miniatures[4] with Psalm 121 and "A Poem" by Sir Cecil Spring-Rice inside.