Raymond Ray-Jones
Encyclopedia
Raymond Ray-Jones was an English
painter
and etcher
.
Leaving St Ann’s school in Ashton at the age of fourteen, Ray-Jones worked first at the National Gas & Oil Co. Ltd., and studied part time at Ashton's Heginbottom School of Art under J.H. Cronshaw. He showed enough talent to gain a county scholarship and a place at the Royal College of Art
in Kensington, London in 1907 – a considerable achievement in those days. At the R.C.A. he studied under Prof Gerald Moira
and Sir Frank Short RA, P.R.E.
, and from May 1911 attended the studio of Jean-Paul Laurens
, known as Académie Julian, in Paris, where he was awarded the Grand Prix and Medal for portrait painting.
In 1913, on the advice of his tutors, he changed his name to Raymond Ray-Jones, and by 1914 established a studio at Joubert Studios, 14 Jubilee Place, London SW3, off the King's Road. He became an Associate of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers on 17 March 1914 (now the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers
). Ray-Jones served during the First World War
(1914–18) as a clerk or ostler in the Royal Horse Artillery
at Woolwich. This was followed by a period of penury in Jubilee Place.
Through Frank Short, his talent came to the notice of Edward Holroyd Pearce (later Lord Pearce
), who was then an undergraduate at Oxford University.
Ray-Jones was an early member of the Society of Graphic Art (now the Society of Graphic Fine Art). He married Pearce’s sister, Effie Irene Pearce, on 12 February 1926, and they lived at Woodham Walter in Essex. in 1926 he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers
.
Ray-Jones was an etcher and a meticulous draughtsman. Buildings were his main subject, though he also did portraiture and worked in chalk, oil, and watercolour. The demand for etchings that had been good, began to collapse at about the time of his marriage. Ray-Jones had little sympathy with the work of modern artists such as Picasso. Ray-Jones was so concerned with detail and accuracy that his body of work was small.
After the birth of Alan in 1931, Ray-Jones and his wife moved to Carbis Bay outside St Ives in Cornwall, where they had two more children – Philip in 1933 and in 1941 Anthony (Tony Ray-Jones
), who was later to become well known as a professional photographer.
He was a member of the St Ives Society of Artists from 1935–1937, together with artists such as Stanley Spencer
, Laura Knight
and Frank Brangwyn
. Creating a Splash, which records the society at that time, includes a full page reproduction of the self-portrait.
The outbreak of the Second World War
in 1939 cut him off from the two countries – France and Italy – that had been the main source of inspiration for his etchings and paintings. This enforced separation, combined with financial worries, led to depression, and he committed suicide
at Carbis Bay in 1942.
He was buried in the old churchyard at Lelant Church on 2 March 1942.
According to the memorial to him on the Tameside website he is best known for his self portrait ‘The Velvet Hat’, which he etched probably c.1910. When exhibited at ‘Modern Masters of Etching’ at the Leicester Galeries in London in 1923 it received great critical acclaim.
So far as is known, no complete catalogue exists of his etchings, paintings, and drawings, but they come on to the market occasionally, and are highly sought.
Prints of the self-portrait are held by the National Portrait Gallery, the British Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
He exhibited at the Royal Academy, the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers, the Society of Graphic Art; New English Art Club, Bristol, Liverpool etc.; and at International and other exhibitions abroad: – in Paris, Venice, Hamburg, Dresden, Zurich, Geneva, Toronto, Sydney, Dunedin etc.
British Council: Contemporary British Prints and Drawings from the Wakefield Collection.
More recently, a retrospective exhibition was held at the Astley Cheetham Art Gallery from 2 May – 3 June 1992. Later still, from 19 February – 27 March 1996, a 'father and son' exhibition was held there for Raymond and Tony Ray-Jones.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
and etcher
Etching
Etching is the process of using strong acid or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in intaglio in the metal...
.
Life and career
Born Raymond Jones, he was the eldest son and second child of Samuel Shepley Jones, a cabinet maker, and his wife Martha Hulme.Leaving St Ann’s school in Ashton at the age of fourteen, Ray-Jones worked first at the National Gas & Oil Co. Ltd., and studied part time at Ashton's Heginbottom School of Art under J.H. Cronshaw. He showed enough talent to gain a county scholarship and a place at the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
in Kensington, London in 1907 – a considerable achievement in those days. At the R.C.A. he studied under Prof Gerald Moira
Gerald Moira
Gerald Edward Moira was an English painter who became best known for his murals.Gerald Moira was born in London, the son of a former Portuguese diplomat who became a miniature painter. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1891. His first commission for a mural was by J. Lyons and Co. for...
and Sir Frank Short RA, P.R.E.
Francis Job Short
Francis Job Short RA was a printmaker and teacher of printmaking. He revived the practices of mezzotint and aquatint engraving, and also wrote about printmaking to educate a wider public.-Biography:...
, and from May 1911 attended the studio of Jean-Paul Laurens
Jean-Paul Laurens
Jean-Paul Laurens , was a French painter and sculptor, and one of the last major exponents of the French Academic style.Born in Fourquevaux, he was a pupil of Léon Cogniet and Alexandre Bida...
, known as Académie Julian, in Paris, where he was awarded the Grand Prix and Medal for portrait painting.
In 1913, on the advice of his tutors, he changed his name to Raymond Ray-Jones, and by 1914 established a studio at Joubert Studios, 14 Jubilee Place, London SW3, off the King's Road. He became an Associate of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers on 17 March 1914 (now the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers
Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers
The Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers, until 1991 the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers is an art institution based in London, England. The Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers was a society of etchers established in London in 1880 and given a Royal Charter in 1888...
). Ray-Jones served during the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
(1914–18) as a clerk or ostler in the Royal Horse Artillery
Royal Horse Artillery
The regiments of the Royal Horse Artillery , dating from 1793, are part of the Royal Regiment of Artillery of the British Army...
at Woolwich. This was followed by a period of penury in Jubilee Place.
Through Frank Short, his talent came to the notice of Edward Holroyd Pearce (later Lord Pearce
Edward Pearce, Baron Pearce
Edward Holroyd Pearce, Baron Pearce PC was a British judge.Born in Sidcup in Kent, he was educated at Charterhouse School and Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Called to the Bar by Lincoln's Inn and Middle Temple in 1925, he became deputy chairman of the East Sussex Quarter Sessions in 1947...
), who was then an undergraduate at Oxford University.
Ray-Jones was an early member of the Society of Graphic Art (now the Society of Graphic Fine Art). He married Pearce’s sister, Effie Irene Pearce, on 12 February 1926, and they lived at Woodham Walter in Essex. in 1926 he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers
Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers
The Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers, until 1991 the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers is an art institution based in London, England. The Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers was a society of etchers established in London in 1880 and given a Royal Charter in 1888...
.
Ray-Jones was an etcher and a meticulous draughtsman. Buildings were his main subject, though he also did portraiture and worked in chalk, oil, and watercolour. The demand for etchings that had been good, began to collapse at about the time of his marriage. Ray-Jones had little sympathy with the work of modern artists such as Picasso. Ray-Jones was so concerned with detail and accuracy that his body of work was small.
After the birth of Alan in 1931, Ray-Jones and his wife moved to Carbis Bay outside St Ives in Cornwall, where they had two more children – Philip in 1933 and in 1941 Anthony (Tony Ray-Jones
Tony Ray-Jones
Tony Ray-Jones was an English photographer.Born Holroyd Anthony Ray-Jones, he was the youngest son of Raymond Ray-Jones , a painter and etcher who died when his son was only eight months old, and Effie Irene Pearce, who would work as a physiotherapist...
), who was later to become well known as a professional photographer.
He was a member of the St Ives Society of Artists from 1935–1937, together with artists such as Stanley Spencer
Stanley Spencer
Sir Stanley Spencer was an English painter. Much of his work depicts Biblical scenes, from miracles to Crucifixion, happening not in the Holy Land but in the small Thames-side village where he was born and spent most of his life...
, Laura Knight
Laura Knight
Dame Laura Knight, DBE was an English Impressionist painter known for painting the world of London's theatre, ballet and circus.-Early life and education:...
and Frank Brangwyn
Frank Brangwyn
Sir Frank William Brangwyn RA RWS RBA was an Anglo-Welsh artist, painter, water colourist, virtuoso engraver and illustrator, and progressive designer.- Biography :...
. Creating a Splash, which records the society at that time, includes a full page reproduction of the self-portrait.
The outbreak of the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in 1939 cut him off from the two countries – France and Italy – that had been the main source of inspiration for his etchings and paintings. This enforced separation, combined with financial worries, led to depression, and he committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
at Carbis Bay in 1942.
He was buried in the old churchyard at Lelant Church on 2 March 1942.
According to the memorial to him on the Tameside website he is best known for his self portrait ‘The Velvet Hat’, which he etched probably c.1910. When exhibited at ‘Modern Masters of Etching’ at the Leicester Galeries in London in 1923 it received great critical acclaim.
So far as is known, no complete catalogue exists of his etchings, paintings, and drawings, but they come on to the market occasionally, and are highly sought.
Exhibitions and Museums
Works by Raymond Ray-Jones have been acquired by the British Museum; the Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington; Trinity College, Cambridge; Ashmolean Museum, Oxford; Contemporary Art Soc.; City Art Gallery, Manchester; Mappin Art Gallery, Sheffield; Ipswich Art Gallery, etc.Prints of the self-portrait are held by the National Portrait Gallery, the British Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
He exhibited at the Royal Academy, the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers, the Society of Graphic Art; New English Art Club, Bristol, Liverpool etc.; and at International and other exhibitions abroad: – in Paris, Venice, Hamburg, Dresden, Zurich, Geneva, Toronto, Sydney, Dunedin etc.
British Council: Contemporary British Prints and Drawings from the Wakefield Collection.
More recently, a retrospective exhibition was held at the Astley Cheetham Art Gallery from 2 May – 3 June 1992. Later still, from 19 February – 27 March 1996, a 'father and son' exhibition was held there for Raymond and Tony Ray-Jones.
External links
- The Ray-Jones family website
- Blue Plaque, Central Library, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Lancs – text by P.R.B. Sanderson.
- Creating a Splash. The St Ives Society of Artists – the first 25 years (1927-1952) by David Tovey