George Mackley (1900 - 1983)

Wood engraving
12.6 x 15.3 cm
Signed and titled
From the edition of 75

When George Mackley published his definitive manual Wood Engraving (1948), its title was as clear and concise as the author’s own approach to his art. Mackley saw himself as first and foremost a craftsman; creativity in his eyes was secondary to the precision that wood engraving demanded. Trained by the notable engraver and teacher Noel Rooke, Mackley was inspired to become a draftsman, shifting his focus away from painting. He also drew inspiration from the work of Agnes Miller Parker, particularly her depictions of animals and aquatic landscapes, a discovery that led to his own fascination with riverside scenes.

Renowned for his masterful use of shadow, Mackley rarely left areas of solid black. Instead, his subtle variations of line and meticulous incisions created intricate detail and lent his prints their distinctive sense of movement.