Sir Muirhead Bone (1876-1953). Prints, Drawings, and Paintings

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Muirhead Bone (1876-1953) was a Scottish printmaker and watercolor artist. Born in Glasgow, Bone first trained as an architect before pursuing his studies at the Glasgow School of Art. In 1901, Bone moved to London and in 1902 held his first solo exhibition at the Carfax Gallery. From that time, he enjoyed a successful artistic career and held memberships in both the New English Art Club and the Glasgow Art Club. In May of 1916, Bone was appointed the first official British war artist and, in that capacity, was sent to France in 1916 and again in 1917. Between World War I and World War II, he traveled and exhibited his work in London and New York City. During World War II, Bone again participated in the war effort, serving as a member of the War Artists Advisory Committee and executing a number of commissions for the British Admiralty.

Bone first turned to printmaking in 1898. Although he created a number of lithographs, he is best known for his etchings and drypoints. Influenced by his early years in Glasgow, Bone's prints primarily depict industrial and architectural subjects in addition to landscapes. Works by Bone in the Boston Public Library's collection number over 570 and include proofs of multiple states of many of the prints, in addition to watercolors and drawings. With a few exceptions, the collection was formed by Albert H. Wiggin and came to the Library as part of the 1941 gift by Wiggin of his private collection of prints and drawings.

Critical funding to support long-term preservation of and enhanced public access to Boston Public Library collections, including this one, was provided by the Associates of the Boston Public Library.