Range Burning by David Holt (1979)

A striking Modern British semi-abstract oil painting inspired by Hythe Ranges in Kent

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Printing Details

Painted in 1979, this is an oil on board laid down on a wooden frame. The whole measures 71.5 × 61cm. The wooden frame with white painted edges.

This is a semi-abstract work by David Holt inspired by the large number position post at Hythe Ranges on the Kent coast, this featuring smouldering numbers, the smoke drifting slowly away over the ranges landscape with a bold red base in the foreground.

Signed and dated lower right, and titled to the reverse.

David Holt (1928–2014). Born in Hythe, Kent. Painter and Lecturer in Art. After National Service, he trained at the Canterbury School of Art, the Hammersmith School of Art and the Royal Academy Schools where he was awarded a medal for drawing and the Knapping Prize. He joined a studio-workshop with Gerald Holtom (designer of the CND symbol) in 1958 where he designed and produced proscenium curtains for schools. In 1958 he was awarded a Harkness Fellowship and travelled across America, producing many drawings and prints of the Pueblo Indians and their life-dance in Santa Fe in New Mexico, where he also worked with artist Agnes Sims. He returned to England in 1960 and continued to paint and work on large textile appliques for schools, churches, and private houses including Spade House in Kent, the former home of H G Wells.

He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 1962, and in 1964 was commissioned to design and make a large textile applique 'Christ in Majesty' which still hangs in the chapel of Christ Church College in Canterbury.

He was Head of Art at Canterbury Christ Church University until his retirement in 1995. He exhibited widely in the UK and the States and worked with many art societies and summer schools across East Kent.

His work can be found in both private and public collections throughout the UK and America, including the Yale Centre for British Art. His painting "Coastal Watcher" was recently used for the dustwrapper on Modernism and Memory: Rhoda Pritzker and the Art of Collecting (Yale University Press, 2016).

Condition

Good condition. There is some surface abrasion to the painting and a few small areas of spotting but the overall impression remains impressive. The white painted frame base is a little chipped but strong enough to give the board integrity

Due to size and weight, postage is restricted to the UK though I am happy to investigate sending overseas. Please email to discuss. Collection is available from Hythe by appointment.

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