Ronald Maddox, Landscape Pattern, Glen Lyon, Scotland, 1980, Watercolor

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Ronald maddox.
english ( b.1930 - d.2018 ).
landscape pattern, glen lyon, scotland, 1980.
watercolour.
signed lower right.
image size … Read more Ronald maddox.
english ( b.1930 - d.2018 ).
landscape pattern, glen lyon, scotland, 1980.
watercolour.
signed lower right.
image size 13.6 inches x 23.6 inches ( 34.5cm x 60cm ).
frame size 20.3 inches x 30.3 inches ( 51.5cm x 77cm ).

the watercolour is presented and supplied in a sympathetic and contrasting contemporary frame to suit the subject colouration (which is shown in these photographs) and behind non-reflective tru vue ultravue® uv70 glass.
this vintage piece is in superb condition. It wants for nothing and is supplied ready to hang and display.
the watercolour is signed lower right.

provenance: the painting was exhibited at the royal institute of painters in water colours at the mall galleries at 17 carlton terrace, sw.1, london in 1980. The exhibition label from the previous backboard of the painting has been retained and affixed to the rear of the new backboard.

ronald maddox was an accomplished and successful british artist, designer and illustrator.

he was born in purley, surrey and studied at st. Albans school of art from 1945 to 1948. He then served with the air ministry design service, during which time he attended regent street polytechnic in london from 1949-51, before completing his studies at the london college of printing. His tutors included henry trevick, raymond sheppard, and christopher saunders.

from 1953 to 1962 maddox worked as an art director for advertising agencies in london. He then worked as a freelance artist illustrator and graphic designer. Between 1972 and 1989 maddox worked extensively for the post office and the royal mail, and the isle of man postal authority. He designed stamps, stamp book covers, first day presentation packs, posters and charts. His stamps typically feature british architecture, rural life and the countryside. He also produced posters for british rail and painted pictures that were used as carriage panel prints, and illustrated several books.

maddox’s talents were well recognised and respected in the professional art and design communities. He was elected a member of the society of industrial artists & designers in 1956 and of the royal institute in 1959, in 1989 becoming its president. He was a fellow of the chartered society of designers and a fellow of the society of architectural illustrators.

maddox received many awards for his work as an artist and designer, including the winsor & newton /ri 150th anniversary award in 1981 and the members’ award in 1991. He was a hunting group finalist several times and won the design council award in 1973 and the rowland hilder award for the most outstanding landscape in 1990.

maddox excelled at architectural work, reproducing the textures and patterns of buildings, but he is perhaps best known for his topographical art works, which explore the shapes and design of landforms. He loved nothing more than to walk in the countryside and capture its beauty. He wrote, “over many years i have been fascinated by the pattern and form of the landscape in britain, the result of its geological formation and centuries of weathering.” he liked to carry a minimum of equipment with him in a rucksack, so that the distance he could cycle or walk was not inhibited. He would start his works by making a quick pencil sketch of the landscape, then increasing the size a little with a small watercolour painting. He would take this home and later work on the image in his studio, increasing the size and palette again. He noted “there is nothing more satisfying that coming home with one or two spontaneous paintings, however small, that have captured the subtle colours of an english landscape”. He said that his work was influenced by the works of john piper, eric ravilious, john nash and edward burra (landscapes).


maddox exhibited his original paintings in many mixed shows in london and regional galleries, including the royal academy, the pastel society, the royal society of british arts and the royal watercolour society. In 1992 maddox shared a show at the 1992 lichfield festival with sir hugh carons. Today, examples of his work are in the collections of the fry gallery and the tate. His work is also held in many prestigious private collections, having been acquired by hm queen elizabeth the queen mother, the sultanate of oman, barclays banks, the bbc, british rail and the post office.

maddox lived with his wife in digswell, welwyn, hertfordshire. He died on 4 november 2018 at the age of 88 and his obituary featured in the times. In addition to being an outstanding artist he was remembered as being kind and charming and entertaining company. His work will live on in his original art, and in his stamps, which lie in their millions in albums around the world.

this original watercolour painting by ronald maddox is of glen lyon in scotland. Glen lyon is situated in the perth and kinross region of scotland. it is the longest enclosed glen in scotland and runs for 34 miles from lock lyon in the west to the village of fortingall in the east. It was also known as “an crom ghleann. Sir walter scott described glen lyon as the "longest, loneliest and loveliest glen in scotland".
the images feature two winding paths running from the foreground deep into the glen, converging and traversing across the undulating terrain. There is also a stream, which flows around a copse of fir trees. the glen is wide and of an impressive scale. In the background a row of high mountains rise up to meet the horizon. The rolling countryside is mainly grassed, but with clumps of dark green fir trees, and occasional other deciduous trees. The overall palette is one of soft greens and blues and the sky is bright blue with fluffy white clouds. The overall image is mellow and very pleasing. apart from the rough pathways there is no sign of human interaction with this wild and natural environment. This piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
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