Anthony Wood (artist)
Encyclopedia
Anthony Wood, FSHA, FSSI (born 1925 in Edgbaston
, Birmingham
) is one of the most widely recognized heraldic artists of the 20th century and masters of heraldry.
After graduation he trained as a professional calligrapher
, illuminator
and heraldic artist. For some years he painted heraldry for various Officers at the College of Arms
.
and Wimbledon Schools of Art
. In 1968, he founded a full time three-year Diploma course in calligraphy, heraldry, and manuscript illumination at the Reigate School of Art and Design. For many years it was the only course that offered such a unique curriculum to students coming from all over the world to attend the school. Wood directed it as a Senior Lecturer for 19 years until 1987. He has been responsible for the training of many professional heraldic artists who achieved mastery in the profession. Andrew Stewart Jamieson is one of his most prominent followers. In August 1996, they attended the 22nd International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences
in Ottawa
, Canada
, as artist delegates by invitation of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
. The Congress, for the first time held outside of Europe, was considered to be a "historic meeting" for scientists and artists pursuing Heraldry in Modern Times.
Wood as highly esteemed artist and lecturer was invited to attended the 23rd International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences in Turin
, Italy
, in September 1998, where he gave a paper on Heraldric Art and Design.
Wood committed to teach his students a wide variety of techniques ranging from medieval to modern styles of calligraphy and illumination done mainly on calf and goatskin vellum
, in gouache
colors and precious metals, continued to work over the past half century to private commissions for clients from all over the world. His armorial art produced for the House of Lords
, the House of Commons and the Craft and Merchant Guilds of the city of London, commissioned by local authorities, schools, universities, and private collectors executed to the highest standards is recognizable for the high complexity of composition, rich detail, and created almost 3-D visual effect .
The masterful samples of his art were included in The Art of Heraldry by Carl-Alexander von Volborth
, published in 1987.
An excellent book published in 1987—A Dictionary of Heraldry—edited by Stephan Friar and illustrated by Anthony Wood along with Andrew Stewart Jamieson and John Ferguson (artist), became highly recommended as complex introduction to heraldry. The Arms of the Lord Francis Lovel and The Arms of the Worshipful Company of Fletchers
painted by Wood were reproduced distinctively on front and back covers of the volume .
He has written numerous articles on heraldic art and craft.
He contributed an essay entitled "The Art of Heraldry" and a painting of John Brooke-Little’s
coat of arms to the book Tribute to an Armourist, published in 2000 by The Heraldry Society
in London, to commemorate Brooke-Little’s lifelong service.
In 1996, Wood published a book titled Heraldic Art and Design.
.
From 1980–1982 and from 1983–1984, he was Master of the Worshipful Company of Bowyers
(longbow makers) of London, which is one of the Mediaeval Craft Guilds of the City.
Edgbaston
Edgbaston is an area in the city of Birmingham in England. It is also a formal district, managed by its own district committee. The constituency includes the smaller Edgbaston ward and the wards of Bartley Green, Harborne and Quinton....
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
) is one of the most widely recognized heraldic artists of the 20th century and masters of heraldry.
Early life and career
In 1943, he graduated from Oundle High School. From 1943 to 1945 he continued his education at Birmingham College of Art—famous for being United Kingdom’s first municipal college of art.After graduation he trained as a professional calligrapher
Calligraphy
Calligraphy is a type of visual art. It is often called the art of fancy lettering . A contemporary definition of calligraphic practice is "the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious and skillful manner"...
, illuminator
Illumination
Illumination, an observable property and effect of light, may also refer to:* Illumination , the use of light sources* Illumination , the use of light and shadow in art...
and heraldic artist. For some years he painted heraldry for various Officers at the College of Arms
College of Arms
The College of Arms, or Heralds’ College, is an office regulating heraldry and granting new armorial bearings for England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
.
Later career
From 1965 to 1986 he taught the subjects at Ealing Art CollegeEaling Art College
Ealing Art College was 'Ealing Technical College & School of Art', a further education institution on St Mary's Road, Ealing, London, England. The site today is the Ealing campus of University of West London...
and Wimbledon Schools of Art
Wimbledon College of Art
Wimbledon College of Art is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London and is one of London's major art institutions. It is located in Wimbledon and Merton Park, South West London.-History:...
. In 1968, he founded a full time three-year Diploma course in calligraphy, heraldry, and manuscript illumination at the Reigate School of Art and Design. For many years it was the only course that offered such a unique curriculum to students coming from all over the world to attend the school. Wood directed it as a Senior Lecturer for 19 years until 1987. He has been responsible for the training of many professional heraldic artists who achieved mastery in the profession. Andrew Stewart Jamieson is one of his most prominent followers. In August 1996, they attended the 22nd International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences
International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences
The International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences is a biennial conference discussing topics of heraldic and genealogical interest. The Congress brings together scholars and other interested persons from all the nations of Europe and from many countries around the world...
in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, as artist delegates by invitation of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
Canadian Heraldic Authority
The Canadian Heraldic Authority is part of the Canadian honours system under the Queen of Canada, whose authority is exercised by the Governor General. The Authority is responsible for the creation and granting of new coats of arms , flags and badges for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and...
. The Congress, for the first time held outside of Europe, was considered to be a "historic meeting" for scientists and artists pursuing Heraldry in Modern Times.
Wood as highly esteemed artist and lecturer was invited to attended the 23rd International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences in Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, in September 1998, where he gave a paper on Heraldric Art and Design.
Wood committed to teach his students a wide variety of techniques ranging from medieval to modern styles of calligraphy and illumination done mainly on calf and goatskin vellum
Vellum
Vellum is mammal skin prepared for writing or printing on, to produce single pages, scrolls, codices or books. It is generally smooth and durable, although there are great variations depending on preparation, the quality of the skin and the type of animal used...
, in gouache
Gouache
Gouache[p], also spelled guache, the name of which derives from the Italian guazzo, water paint, splash or bodycolor is a type of paint consisting of pigment suspended in water. A binding agent, usually gum arabic, is also present, just as in watercolor...
colors and precious metals, continued to work over the past half century to private commissions for clients from all over the world. His armorial art produced for the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
, the House of Commons and the Craft and Merchant Guilds of the city of London, commissioned by local authorities, schools, universities, and private collectors executed to the highest standards is recognizable for the high complexity of composition, rich detail, and created almost 3-D visual effect .
Publications
Anthony Wood is a co-author of A European Armorial.The masterful samples of his art were included in The Art of Heraldry by Carl-Alexander von Volborth
Carl-Alexander von Volborth
Carl-Alexander von Volborth was a German-born American heraldic artist and heraldist.Born in Berlin-Charlottenburg, von Volborth received the Gustaf von Numers Prize 1984 in the XVIth International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences in Helsinki...
, published in 1987.
An excellent book published in 1987—A Dictionary of Heraldry—edited by Stephan Friar and illustrated by Anthony Wood along with Andrew Stewart Jamieson and John Ferguson (artist), became highly recommended as complex introduction to heraldry. The Arms of the Lord Francis Lovel and The Arms of the Worshipful Company of Fletchers
Worshipful Company of Fletchers
The Worshipful Company of Fletchers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, England. Originally, the Bowyers and Fletchers formed one organisation. However, in 1371, the Fletchers petitioned the Lord Mayor of the City of London to divide into their own Company...
painted by Wood were reproduced distinctively on front and back covers of the volume .
He has written numerous articles on heraldic art and craft.
He contributed an essay entitled "The Art of Heraldry" and a painting of John Brooke-Little’s
John Brooke-Little
John Philip Rudolph Dominic Derek Aloysius Mary Brooke-Little, CVO, KStJ, FSA, FSG, FHS, FHG , FRHSC , FHSNZ, KM, GCGCO was an influential and popular British writer on heraldic subjects and a long-serving officer of arms at the College of Arms in London...
coat of arms to the book Tribute to an Armourist, published in 2000 by The Heraldry Society
The Heraldry Society
The Heraldry Society is one of the leading organizations in the world devoted to studying heraldry. In 1947, a twenty year old John Brooke-Little founded the Society of Heraldic Antiquaries. This title was changed to The Heraldry Society in 1950. It was incorporated in 1956 and is now a registered...
in London, to commemorate Brooke-Little’s lifelong service.
In 1996, Wood published a book titled Heraldic Art and Design.
Distinctions and other work
In 1995, Wood was made a Freeman of the City of LondonCity of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
.
From 1980–1982 and from 1983–1984, he was Master of the Worshipful Company of Bowyers
Worshipful Company of Bowyers
The Worshipful Company of Bowyers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, England.- History :Originally, the Bowyers and Fletchers formed one organisation. However, in 1371, the Fletchers petitioned the Lord Mayor of the City of London to divide into their own Company.The actual...
(longbow makers) of London, which is one of the Mediaeval Craft Guilds of the City.