King’s College Chapel

Walter Hoyle (1922 - 2000)

Block print

1965-6

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Image of King’s College Chapel
  • About the work
    Location
    Country: Other
    City: other locations abroad

    Using his signature graphic style of bold black outlines and contrasting tones, this linoleum blockprint by Walter Hoyle is from the Cambridge Series, a series of ten prints that he made in the mid 1960s. Hoyle’s work represents the architectural features and decoration of two Cambridge college buildings in a striking and observant style.

    In King’s College, Chapel Porch Hoyle’s focus on the arched doorway reveals his appreciation of the Byzantine style which exerted great influence on Western Romanesque architecture. King’s College Chapel was founded in the 14th century by Henry VI (1421-71) and took over a century to build. The bold, arched form of the Chapel Porch at King’s College, surrounded by heraldic figures and rosettes, is monumental in its impression. 


  • About the artist
    Born in Rushton, Lancashire, Walter Hoyle studied at Beckenham School of Art between 1940 and 1942 and at the Royal College of Art, London, from 1947 to 1948. On graduating he went to the Byzantine Institute in Istanbul, an experience which he said was an important influence in his work. Hoyle taught at St Martin's School of Art, London, from 1951 until 1960 and Central School of Arts and Crafts, London, from 1960 to 1964. In 1964, he moved to Cambridge and taught at the Cambridge School of Art, placing an emphasis on printmaking. He remained at Cambridge School of Art until his retirement in 1985. During the latter period of his career he launched Cambridge Print Editions. Work was also commissioned from Hoyle by Editions Alecto, Christie’s Contemporary Art and the Folio Society. Examples of his work are held in the Tate Collection, the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
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  • Details
    Title
    King’s College Chapel
    Portfolio Title
    Cambridge Series
    Edition
    32/75
    Date
    1965-6
    Medium
    Block print
    Acquisition
    Purchased from Editions Alecto, February 1972
    Inscription
    below image: 32/75 / King's College Chapel / Artists Proof Walter Hoyle
    Provenance
    Editions Alecto
    GAC number
    L733