Derek Hill

Lancashire Slate Quarry

1961

© The estate of Derek Hill

License this image

Not on display

Artist
Derek Hill 1916–2000
Medium
Oil paint on canvas
Dimensions
Support: 635 × 743 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Purchased 1962
Reference
T00499

Display caption

This painting is displayed to celebrate the eightieth birthday of Derek Hill, British portrait and landscape painter, stage designer and writer. Since the 1930s he has travelled widely, acquiring detailed knowledge of many cultures and traditions. He has had a home in Donegal since 1954 but has continued to live and paint in other regions. In 'Lancashire Slate Quarry' Hill attempts to represent nature truthfully, while at the same time obeying the formal principles of picture-making. Here he places the viewer in a precipitious yet privileged position before this man-made monument, its depth and height suggested by receding planes of tone.

Gallery label, August 2004

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.

Catalogue entry

T00499 LANCASHIRE SLATE QUARRY 1961
 
Inscr. ‘DH’ (in circle) b.r. and on the back ‘Lancashire Slate Quarry 61’.
Canvas, 25×29 1/4 (63·5×74).
Purchased from the artist (Grant-in-Aid) 1962.
Exh: Whitechapel Art Gallery, November–December 1961 (243).

The quarry is called the Burlington Slate Quarry; it is owned by Richard Cavendish and the picture was painted in April 1961.

Published in:
Mary Chamot, Dennis Farr and Martin Butlin, The Modern British Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture, London 1964, I

You might like

Left Right