Drawn to the woodcuts prints of late 19th century Edvard Munch (the artist best known for ‘The Scream’), Japanese artist Shiko Munakata and the work of William Blake, John Ryrie has established himself as an adept storyteller through the medium of printmaking.

In ‘Yseut’, he evocatively depicts Iseult of the White Hands from the Celtic legend of Tristan and Iseult. The scene is pivotal. After Tristan is fatally wounded, he sends for Iseult the Blonde, his former lover, asking that a ship with white sails signal her arrival. Watching from the shore, Iseult of the White Hands sees the white sails but, consumed by unrequited love, tells Tristan they are black. Believing Iseult has not come, Tristan dies of despair.

Ryrie is an esteemed printmaker. He was awarded the Grand Prize in the Silk Cut Award for Linocut Prints and a finalist in the Geelong acquisitive print awards, and is represented at the National Gallery of Australia. For collectors of contemporary prints and visual storytelling, ‘Yseut’ is a poignant, rich find.

John RYRIE (1961 - )
'Yseut' 2003
etching on paper
Edition of 10
Image Size: 13 x 10 cm
Dimensions: 38 x 28 cm
Signed: Signed 'John Ryrie', editioned, titled, dated under image
 
Comes with Letter of Provenance
Stamped by Chrysalis Publishing on lower right corner.
 
Condition: Excellent
 
(c) John Ryrie / Copyright Agency