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Charles William Bartlett
Surf Riders, Honolulu

circa 1921

About the Item

An incredibly rare image of the very early days of surfing in Hawaii dating to around 1921. The striking contrasts and intricate technique immediately bring to mind Japanese woodblock art, in particular Katsushika Hokusai' s The Great Wave - such images had a profound influence on the artist's work. In very good condition with strong colour, ready to hang on the wall. Charles William Bartlett (1860-1940) Surf Riders, Honolulu, circa 1920 Woodblock/ Woodcut in colours Signed in the margin and dedicated, ‘Charles W Bartlett.......Greetings for the New Year 1933....J W Taylor from the artist" Titled within the plate and further monogrammed 10 x 14½ inches (plate) This is the rarer second state of this image, as identified by the window of blue sky appearing on the horizon between the clouds. Born in 1860 in Bridport, Dorset, Charles Bartlett initially explored metallurgy before pursuing studies in painting and etching at the Royal Academy in London and later at the Académie Julian in Paris. In 1913, Bartlett embarked on what was initially planned as a global expedition. Departing England with his wife, they were unaware that it would mark their final departure from their homeland. Their travels took them through Pakistan, India, Ceylon, Indonesia, and China, during which Bartlett created watercolors and sketches. In 1915 the artist and his wife arrived in Japan where they were to meet the important print maker Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe played a pivotal role in the Shin Hanga art movement and sought skilled artists capable of creating print designs. His team of artisans, including carvers and printers, transformed these designs into a modernized rendition of traditional Japanese woodblock prints. Charles Bartlett's distinctive style, featuring vibrant watercolors with expansive, vivid areas, harmonized perfectly with Watanabe's vision for modern Japanese prints. By 1916, Watanabe had published 21 prints in collaboration with Bartlett. Several of these prints were inspired by the artist's sketches from India. Among them, a series of 6 prints showcased Japanese landscapes and urban vistas, evoking a contemporary semblance to Hiroshige's designs. On leaving Japan they intended to head home via North America but a stopover in Hawaii altered the course of their life They fell in love with the islands and remained there for the rest of their lives; the inhabitants and the landscape becoming the inspiration for much of his subsequent work. Between 1917 and 1926, Bartlett produced 17 additional designs, forwarding them to Watanabe in Tokyo for transformation into woodblock prints. Some of these new artworks depicted Hawaiian scenes, such as this print - Surf Riders, Honolulu. He passed away in 1940. Examples of his work can be found in important private and public collections throughout the world including the British Museum, The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Smithsonian
  • Creator:
    Charles William Bartlett (1860 - 1940, British, Hawaiian)
  • Creation Year:
    circa 1921
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 10 in (25.4 cm)Width: 14.57 in (37.01 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Harkstead, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1481215263802

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