Champeix
Woodcut print by Edward J.Ashenden depicting the commune of Champeix, 20th century, first half, date unknown
This woodcut print depicts the commune of Champeix in the Puy-de-Dome department in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in central France. The town is a popular port with beaches. It has town-twinning links with the town of Grundarfjörður in Iceland, which may explain the nationality of its subject. The print was made in 1939, although it is not known whether this was before or after the outbreak of World War II. The collection contains six other woodcut prints and a watercolour painting of this subject.
Artist Biography
Edward James Ashenden (1896–1952) Born at Wandsworth Common in London, Ashenden was a versatile British artist known for his work in watercolour, design, model-making, and decorative arts. He studied at Putney School of Art before and after World War I, and his creative talents were applied in diverse settings - from museum displays at the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum to international exhibitions like the Century of Progress in Chicago. During World War II, he served as a camouflage officer with the Air Ministry. Ashenden exhibited at the Royal Academy, the Royal Institute, and across the UK