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The Subtle Art Of Glynn Boyd Harte

September 21, 2019
by the gentle author

Who remembers Glynn Boyd Harte (1948-2003)? Doreen Fletcher told me that it was his superlative coloured pencil drawings that inspired her essays in this medium. I remember seeing his work at the Francis Kyle Gallery and being fascinated by his chic still lifes of radishes, wine glasses and packets of Gauloise Bleu on intricate woven French tablecloths. For years, I cherished postcards of these images on my book shelf.

Neil Jennings has organised a small show of Glynn Boyd Harte’s drawings, watercolours and lithographs, PACKETS & PLACES, at the Art Workers’ Guild in Bloomsbury from Sunday 22nd until Friday 4th October, which offers the welcome opportunity to reacquaint yourself with this flamboyant master of the crayon, who died too soon in 2003.


The Blackfriar, Queen Victoria St, EC4

The Reuters & Press Association Building, 85 Fleet St

Upper St sub-station, Angel, Islington

Images copyright © Estate of Glynn Boyd Harte

10 Responses leave one →
  1. September 21, 2019

    Well, since you ask, I remember GBH, not least because the company I work for commissioned him to produce a picture of our office in Fitzroy Square which he duly delivered in magnificent style. I’m lucky enough to have that and a number of his other Fitzrovia works that came from exhibitions at the Curwen Gallery. At one of those, I unexpectedly met an uncle who revealed that he printed Glyn Boyd Harte’s editions at the Curwen Press.

  2. Jane Jones permalink
    September 21, 2019

    Who remembers Glyn Boyd Harte? Who could forget him? I used to buy the Saturday Telegraph in the 1990s specifically for his wonderful food illustrations, most of which, thankfully, I cut out for my recipe notebooks. His good taste extended to living in Percy Street and having a holiday house in Veules-les-Roses near Dieppe. I wish I had met him. Ripe for a biography perhaps?

  3. Jill Wilson permalink
    September 21, 2019

    Lovely images! Interesting buildings and lots of turquoise – two of my favourite things…

    Looking forward to seeing the exhibition next week.

  4. Ian Beck permalink
    September 21, 2019

    Happy to say I am midway through writing a biographical memoir of Glynn which will be published next year with copious pictures. Glynn was of course a good friend of the late Rodney Archer of Fournier Street who owned several G B H drawings …

  5. September 21, 2019

    My husbands father was at Reuters when that building was brand new, just before the war and later in the 50s…my husband was at the PA some time later.

    I sent him a link to the wonderful picture-he loves it.

    Thank you Glynn Boyd Hart and thank you GA.

  6. September 21, 2019

    I am so happy to discover this artist and his work. And am thrilled to know that a memoir is forth-coming, with images! GA, please keep us posted. Seriously.
    This artist proves……there are no “little things”. Every thing is worthy of inspection, especially by an artist who notices. I’m not sure what “Water Flowers” is — but my take is that it is perhaps a little label from a match box? I love the way the artist reminds us that the colors are a bit “off”
    and (forgive me) wiggly. I’ve collected ephemera for years and I enjoy finding such labels.
    I’m enthralled with this artist.

    More, please!

  7. September 21, 2019

    I Love these Paintings. He was an Amazing Gentleman!! ???????

  8. September 22, 2019

    Delightful images

  9. Eric Forward permalink
    September 23, 2019

    A funny little coincidence that I passed 85 Fleet Street on the bus recently. I was struck by the majesty of the building, and the fact nets were put up to no doubt stop birds accessing the area above the door. I scanned for indications of what the building was for, but didn’t see anything. It looked like an important building. Now I know.

  10. Anthony Fowler permalink
    April 17, 2020

    I had the good fortune to meet Glynn in Paris in the late 70’s and remained a close friend until his untimely death. I went to two of his wonderful fancy dress parties ,the first in Cloudsley Square when he painted me into my Nijinsky costume l’apres midi d’une faune and the second as a Mexican bandit. I was lucky to have my portrait done by him which I treasure now in Australia.

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