This original linocut print, one of a series by printmaker Michael Smith showing historic monuments in their landscape, features the picturesque ruins of Sheriff Hutton castle in the North Riding of Yorkshire.
Today one of the most striking ruins in the Vale of York, Sheriff Hutton castle was, in its heyday, on a par with such castles as Middleham and Bolton-in-Wensleydale and, in fact, considerably more impressive.
The castle ruins, rising dramatically above the end of a low ridge, represent the apogee of the medieval settlement of the village, which also features a medieval church with an adjacent motte-and-bailey castle.
The stone ruins, the feature of this print, appear to hint at a castle which was dramatically slighted in the English Civil War. However, the castle was already in ruins by that time and in fact was largely dismantled by successive owners who used its stonework for building materials.
In a state of acute disrepair by the end of the twentieth century, the ruins were consolidated with a generous grant from English Heritage and today, despite their precarious appearance, are ready to face the coming decades with renewed confidence.
Read a history of the castle on the Mythical Britain Blog Page here
It is hand printed on 250 gsm Somerset Velvet Paper on a 19th Century Albion Press in 2 colours, printed from 2 different plates and signed and edition by the artist. Printed area: 12" x 12"; paper size approx twice as much again.
One of variable edition of 5.
