Hugh Stoneman

The Art Fund Hugh Stoneman Archive

Hugh Stoneman (1947-2005) was one of the greatest master printers of the 20th century.  His career spanned three decades in which he worked closely in a unique dialogue with major international painters, photographers, sculptors and ceramicists.

A combination of hard work, discipline and a natural flair for the complex techniques of printmaking placed him at the very top of his field. Hugh’s outstanding skills allowed him to focus clearly on texture and image, rather than being distracted by the process.  His talent enabled him to take contemporary printmaking to new heights. 

It was for this reason that The Art Fund purchased the exceptional archive of artists’ prints that Hugh Stoneman made throughout his career.  This archive was presented to Falmouth Art Gallery, which houses one of the most important print collections outside of London with old master engravings and woodcuts by Dürer, Rembrandt, Claude and Piranesi through to contemporary works by Matisse, Picasso, Warhol, Sir Peter Blake, Francis Bacon, Merlyn Evans and Patrick Caulfield. 

The collection, known as the Art Fund Collection is a selection of prints made at his studios in London and Madron.  The majority of the prints were produced at his workshop in Cornwall when his reputation was at it’s height and his skills were sought out by major contemporary artists from all over the world. The exhibition at the Royal Cornwall Museum will feature works that were not displayed in the recent exhibition at Falmouth Art Gallery.

Brian Stewart from the Falmouth Art Gallery will give a free lunchtime talk at the museum on 29 April. For details and how book click here

“Hugh Stoneman inspired a renaissance in fine print making in Britain and the artistic scene in Cornwall.”                 
                 Fiona MacCarthy
                The Guardian