As I shared in the tour of my great aunt and uncle’s home in South Carolina, they have acquired a lot of interesting art pieces over the years. I wanted to highlight one specifically because it’s a neat piece by a known artist, but also because of a special inscription. The work is the Porcupine, a 1949 engraving by Ray French.
At first glance, you might think this is just a framed print, but when you lean in and look…
You can see that this is engraving 5/25 and the Porcupine is signed in pencil by Ray French. One cool thing about this particular engraving is that another engraving in the series of the Porcupine was exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art in 1949.
And you can see that the engraving hanging in my aunt’s house is inscribed “To Marian.” Of course, I wasn’t around in 1949, so I’m not the Marian this was inscribed to. This is to my great aunt Marian. I don’t know the story of how she acquired this engraving…if it was gifted to her or if she purchased it. I don’t know if she knew Ray French or just admired his work. Either way, it’s a wonderful engraving and I find myself captivated by the Porcupine.
The Porcupine is a piece I might not have taken much note of a few years ago, but since studying and creating more art, I have come to appreciate how different artists interpret and capture the world. Ray French didn’t choose a cuddly, cute animal as his subject for this engraving, nor did he draw the porcupine just as it appears. He made an engraving of the way he sees a porcupine. It’s interesting and graphic, and I learn new things each time I look at the Porcupine. The geometric designs under his feet, the scribbled shapes in his belly, and the wildness of his quills.
I’m looking forward to when packing is behind us and I can spend more time on drawing, painting, and reading. This engraving makes me eager to explore my own artistic voice…
12 Responses
I also find this to be interesting and like the simple frame. Your Aunt’s home is just lovely!
I love this print !! It feels so modern for 1949.
This is so fun. I love it! It made my day. There are many things to admire in your great aunt’s home, and I’m so happy you shared it with us.
Marian, I, too, am so happy your shared your great aunt’s home with us. She has really shown how a home reflects its owner and it is so lovely with such interesting pieces, this cool engraving being one. I think you and your mom must have had a very fun and interesting visit when visiting her!
what treasures your family has! I love him!
I also love the air fern and the way it is displayed. Treasures!
Such a fun engraving of Mr. Crazy Quills. He’s super cute.
Hope your foot and your stamina is improving.
I join the chorus, I love the art, the home, the treasures you shared thank you and thank your Great Aunt and Uncle.
I am also intrigued by the drawing below it. So many lines, hard to decipher, but maybe an Asian roof line in it? I finally looked up and learned about engraving to see how it is done. Thanks for the motivation to do so.
It is all in the elegant and self assured movement of the arm and that of the hand. I wonder what the artist produced, I do not know of him.
I hope your is getting better.
I mean: hope your FOOT is getting better. Sorry.
This is a beautiful work of art! Thanks for sharing! I’m often intimated by the challenge of bringing various art styles into my home and I worry about things looking our of place. Thank you for always sharing a united concept yet one full of surprising textures and lines. Looking forward to how you’ll continue pursuing your “artistic voice” in the future!