RENTON Michael

Michael Renton British 1934-2001

Engraver on wood and stone, Calligrapher. Born in Middlesex, Renton studied at Harrow School of Art (1949-50) and was then apprenticed as a commercial wood engraver to S. Slinger Ltd in Horseferry Road, London, where he stayed until 1960. He served in the RAF on National Service for two years. Whilst working at Slinger’s he attended evening classes at the City and Guilds Art School. In 1960 after he moved to Icklesham, near Winchelsea there he worked as a free lance artist illustrating books for various private press’s such as the Fleece Press, Folio Society. In Rye, he painted many shop fascia signs. Being a stone cutter, he also carved gravestones, so when he was forced to leave Winchelsea he moved to Winchester where the Dean and Chapter of the cathedral had been his patrons. He concentrated on carving head stones, carving his own in 1998. But it was during this time that he taught typography as a visitor at Reading University, he was a member of the Letter Exchange and gave a lecture there at Art Workers Guild in Queen’s Square.
Some of the views of Rye were made to illustrate the book ‘Portrait of Rye by Malcolm Saville, published 1976.

Many of the wood engravings that I have for sale are from the artist’s estate.Many are unsigned. We believe that although he would print a quantity of either 50 or 100 copies from the wood block, he would only sign and number a few at a time. Therefore most of the signed and numbered copies are of low edition number, as many were not sold. Therefore signed prints are quite rare.

There was an exhibition of Michael Renton’s work at the Lettering Arts Centre,Snape Maltings, IP17 1SP. In conjunction with the exhibition, an excellent 144 page book with 123 illustrations and essays has been published on Michael Renton which we also have for sale. http://www.letteringartstrust.org.uk/

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