Into these works he injected elements of social commentary, expressing his dim view of contemporary life. He depicted destitute Londoners, created alternative views of construction and demolition sites and poked fun at modern artists and critics.
Vanishing craft
Then, in 1933, Anderson bought a cottage in Oxfordshire and started producing the works that made him famous. The series celebrated England’s vanishing rural craft, showing artisans from around the Cotswolds – many of whom Anderson knew personally – carrying out their day-to-day work.
During Edenbridge Galleries’ Christmas Event, art dealer John Robertson will offer 50 examples of Anderson’s work, predominantly from his traditional craft series, on behalf of a longstanding client.
“These engravings are so cleverly done. So well researched and of exceptional quality,” says Robertson, who credits the Royal Academy’s exhibition, An Abiding Standard in 2015, with helping raise Anderson’s profile for contemporary viewers.
Around 45 of these works were in the collection of US academic Alvin Rolfs, friend and patron of Anderson. Each is individually priced between £500-1500. Also included are 12 handwritten letters from the artist to Rolfs.
Six dealers will show at Edenbridge Christmas Open Weekend on December 2-3: Amherst Antiques, Jupiter
Antiques, S&S Timms Antiques, Lennox Cato Antiques and new member Ashton Taylor Smith will join John Robertson at the event.
