Clare Leighton

Clare Leighton Wood Engraving, Design for Wedgewood Titled "Whaling"

1950s

Born in London, England, Clare Leighton executed her first wood engraving in 1922 while enrolled at the Central School of Art and Design in London. A year later, her engravings were shown in the Society of Wood Engraver's annual exhibition, and she began to receive critical attention. At the onset of the Second World War, she moved to America. In 1943, Leighton taught at Duke University and eventually settled in Woodbury, Connecticut, where she worked until the late 80s. Leighton's prints show people engaged in various types of work. During her extensive career, Leighton carved more than 900 woodblocks and designed numerous book illustrations, bookplates, engravings, illustrations, and mosaics and stained glass windows. Although known primarily for her work as a printmaker, she was the author of seven books.