Posted 12 years ago
vetraio50
(751 items)
This is a purchase from the Salvos about twelve months ago. I had not seen anything like it before. As yet I have found out nothing about the artist who has signed the portrait: G.C. Webb. It reminded me of the plates done by the Martin Boyd pottery that I collected many years ago and now seen on inky's postings here on CW. To my eye it looks to be a copy of a vintage photograph. Perhaps not.
The technique used interests me as well. It looks to be done in charcoal and white highlights. Some parts of the drawing have been rubbed away to reveal the surface below. There are added highlights in white pencil and the beard is finely worked in black strokes and stump-work.
There has also been an outline added around the forehead, nose, jaw, ear and the hair-band and bindings. The outline has been created with a wide rounded smooth metal object, I suppose. It has been deftly used to 'carve' into the soft surface of the wood. Perhaps it's the opposite of poker-work? Rather than a burnt or charred dark outline, this method creates a clear outline to the work.
The work is done on plywood ( pine, I think ) - a soft wood rather than a hard wood. As such, it is liable to knocks and scratching. Here the artist has used this quality of the ply to create an outline of the figure, an arched border to the portrait and then to create a signature. The signature is actually carved or pressed/impressed into the surface of the wood and has the roundness of the implement used to create it. The furrow creates its own shade and another 'relief' dimension to the work.
All of this has been covered in a thin layer of varnish and ....... voilà!
Maybe Hems303 can help me out with the methods used.
The wooden portrait has been placed on another ply surface and then framed in solid pine.
Dimensions of the portrait:
W: 21.5 cm wide or 8.5 inches
L: 32 cm or 12.6 inches.
Many thanks, Sean! I have never seen anything like it. But I think it is related to my 'Poker-work' pieces!
Wonderful! Can't wait for Hems to weigh in on it!
Many thanks miKKo and czechman too!
Many thanks musikchoo ant to you too PHil!
Fabulous!!!!...:-)
Many thanks inky!
Many thanks Amber!
beautiful !
Many thanks, Marty!
It's different!
Hi, Vetraio50! Sorry to barge in on your wonderful show and tell, but one of your countrywomen is in need of assistance on her silver shakers, if you've got time. I am clueless on the item at hand. Thanks a lot!!!
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/69039-salt-and-pepper-shakers?in=loved-by-miKKoChristmas11
Hi miKKo! I see Marty has already handled the query!
Hi, Vetraio! A million thanks!!! I was clueless on this probable non-American silver and had to call for the calvary!
I like this a lot:)
Many thanks Micmac for these kind words and the love too!
Many thanks Tonino!
Many thanks ho2cultcha!
Great piece will try 7 look around for you just printed picture hope you do not mind.
Many thanks Zowie! I'd appreciate any help. So many G.C.Webbs! Mostly academics! I had another look yesterday actually after someone saw this on Pinterest.
That's great have that site but never really looked around I should get on my butt in this case & look. Also have you tried Australia/LinkedIn it's for people that are still living & gives you contact with them. Have a great day be safe.
Many thanks SEAN and to you again Zowie! I've not done the LinkedIn search on her/him yet. Great idea!
My pleasure I checked nearly all day yesterday not on LinkedIn but everywhere else for aboriginal artists & could not find anything sorry, will keep trying when I can
I appreciate your help on it Zowie! Hope you're well up north?
That's okay doing fine thanks looks as if it could be another pleasant day sometimes it's hard to tell when winter is here.
I forgot to mention I came across on 1 site things donated by a Dr G C Webb many times over
Back again I checked on LinkedIn & either has not registered or maybe it's a assumed named I cannot think why just a thought.
G'Day cobba .
Here is another stunning piece by G .C. Webb .
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OLD-J-G-MEAKIN-CELESTE-PLATE-PAINTED-GIRL-GC-WEBB-EMAIL-POSTAGE-COST-/281110268249?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item41737a4959
Seems like they where a Victorian.
I wonder if the Scientist and artist are one and the same ?? I know a surgeon who is a good artist? Just a thought .
The J & G Meakin mark on the plate dates from 1940 to 1970
Thanks to you Marty and to Zowie. Seems Webb liked the photographic look? SHe may well be the scientist. There are a few actually. One recently retired as Vice Chancellor from Melbourne Uni? Thanks again both of you for the input.
Many thanks sarah!
I am still looking for G.C.Webb even tried Face book not what I needed or you did but there is a lot of his donations
Thank you again for your efforts Zowie!
No problems
Many thanks MANIKIN!
Many thanks for the loves TOM31675!
Hello, I was just wondering what you found out about G.C Webbs. I have inherited some pictures including a larger one marked G.C Webbs. I am interested to know what you found out, I clicked the link to eBay in the comments but it's no longer there. Kind regards.
Many thanks AGHCOLLECT, RADEGRUNDER & WEDNESDAYINAUTUMN !!!!
Evocative name WEDNESDAY !!!
The name still eludes me too ... I have nothing more to report as yet.
More exposure?
Marty's suggestion regards the Australian state of Victoria rather than a time period.
Many thanks POPS !!!!!
WEDNESDAYAUTUMN ..... Could you post your items?
Are they done on wood like this?
I will take some photos and post them as soon as possible. Thankyou for your reply. My pieces are done on wood like that yes, very much the same. I also have a larger one on wood of a lady dancing done by the same artists in wood carving but a different style. Very interested to find out about them.
I'd be as happy as Larry Foley to see some more!
where are you WEDNeSDAY ?
sorry just waiting on the day that i go back up to my studio and unpack it all. not long now hopefully
Is it possible to add picture on these replies? I have two gc webbs to share.
Hi there -- Just post your own pics for your own collectibles. Can not add pic in replies -- but once You post your pic, you can add the link in this as a cross reference ( reply ) to this one. Hope that helps.......and Welcome
Thanks guts .... I missed your comment GREENBIRD. Thanks Rose for the comment. If you have any information on G. C. WEBB I'd be happy to hear from you at my email address,
Many thanks EFESGIRL !!!!!
Really like this one....Niceeeeeeeeeeeee
Many thanks WINDWALKER !!! !!!! !!!
Strange that someone this talented can't be located, vet. I took a long look around, even used SignatureFinder, nothing came up. Is there a local art historian or museum where you can ask? Or maybe a Fine Art group on FB? It's a wonderful work of art. :)
Manythanks KATHERINESCOLLECTIONS !!!!
You know the first response I have had to the whole question came here on CW was from WednesdayinAutumn ayear ago. Believe me I am in touch with many people here in Oz concerning Australian. But this person has just fallen through the net .... so far !!!!
Many thanks AURA !.!!.!.!!.!
Many thanks NEWFLD !!!!!