This is a wonderful signed limited edition print by Patrick Procktor and issued by Editions Alecto Limited, London. It was published in the 1970s.
It is one of only 35 impressions – this one is Numbered No. 11
It is titled Regata Storica. he image size is 64 x 89 cm.
It is a fabulous original artist's print and shows a fantastic regatta taking place on the Grand Canal, Venice. A procession of gondolas and barges is shown on the canal in front of rows of splendid Palazzos all embellished with banners and flags. The balconies are full of people watching the regatta and cheering as all the boats pass by. It is certainly a very joyous image and full of naïve charm – I love it. Central to the image is the ceremonial Doge’s Barge being rowed along the water.
You can see the Campanile Bell Tower of St Mark’s in the distance, top right.
It must be Venice Carnival time - as many of the characters taking place in the boat race are shown in fancy dress. Many of the gondoliers are shown wearing skull masks.
Editions Alecto was a famed publisher of fine limited-edition prints and engravings. They partnered with many prestigious artists and institutions to produce beautiful fine art prints of exceptional quality.
Perhaps not such a household name today: Patrick Procktor was a celebrated draughtsman, watercolour artist, and printmaker. He was a member of a fashionable jet-set in 1960s London which included celebrities such as Princess Margaret, Mick Jagger, Francis Bacon and Cecil Beaton. His closest friends were the artist David Hockney and the fashion designer, Ossie Clark.
Procktor's work was featured in the epoch-defining show “New Generation” held at the Whitechapel Gallery in 1965. He continued to exhibit at the prestigious Redfern Gallery on Cork Street. His later years were plagued by addiction and misfortune – sadly, his career did not develop in the same stellar way that Hockney’s did.
His best work is now highly sought-after by collectors, and his career and work were recently re-examined in a monograph written by Ian Massey. This is reflected in my asking price for this most unusual work by him.
Procktor was elected a Royal Academician in 1996. His early work is held in the Tate Gallery, The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the National Portrait Gallery, the Royal Academy, Fitzwilliam Museum, the Metropolitan Museum (NY), the Imperial War Museum, the Government Art Collection, and Contemporary Art Society amongst many other institutions in the UK and abroad.
CONDITION: This very large-scale colour aquatint is printed on good quality heavy wove paper - and is signed and edition numbered below by the artist. It has very large margins all around the printed sheet. I think that there are some little light creases to the edges of the sheet where the print has been rolled - these are very minor issues and certainly will not be seen when the print is given a window mount and framed up. The printed area which would be on show is certainly without issues and the paper is nice and clean.
Given it is from a very small edition of only 35 prints - it is certainly listed at a fair price. It will be a showstopper when all framed up and on display in your interior.
I have taken lots of images for you to assess this very unusual mid-century print showing this spectacular Venetian view.
It is sold unframed and unmounted. It will be put in a sturdy tube to post to you. In the UK this will cost about £14 - and will be applied at checkout.