An atmospheric original pastel by Salford-born artist Bob Richardson, depicting Manchester emerging through the haze of an early morning.
Painted in 1977, shortly after Richardson became a full-time professional artist, the work captures the city's rooftops and architecture through a restrained palette of misty blues, greys and muted creams. Small points of warm yellow light break through the cool cityscape, while distant towers and industrial forms gradually disappear into the atmospheric skyline.
Details
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Artist: Bob Richardson (British, b.1938)
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Title: Hazy Morning, from the Manchester Series
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Medium: Pastel on paper
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Date: 1977
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Signature: Signed and dated '77 lower left
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Verso: Inscribed “Manchester Scene 1977 2 of 3”, with further address inscription
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Artwork: 36 × 50 cm (14.2 × 19.7 in)
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Framed: 56 × 70 cm (22.0 × 27.6 in)
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Presentation: Mounted, framed and under glass
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Condition: Very good
Manchester Series
Richardson is particularly admired for his ability to capture changing light and weather in the urban landscape, and Manchester and neighbouring Salford form an important part of his subject matter. Here the city is presented not simply as an architectural record but as an atmospheric experience, with buildings softened by haze and distance.
The reverse is inscribed “Manchester Scene 1977 2 of 3”, indicating that the pastel formed part of a three-work Manchester group or series. The inscription gives the work useful context within Richardson's early professional treatment of his native urban landscape.
About the Artist
Bob Richardson was born in Salford, Lancashire, in 1938. After five years at art school he entered advertising, continuing to paint and exhibit before becoming a full-time professional artist in 1975.
Richardson became particularly associated with atmospheric pastel views of Manchester, Salford and European cities, using subtle colour and carefully controlled light to capture changing weather and urban atmosphere. He is a member of the Pastel Society and has exhibited through the Mall Galleries and Confederation of British Artists. In 1991 he received the Grand Prix award.
His work is represented in public and corporate collections including Salford Art Gallery, Granada Television, BMW, Boddingtons Brewery and Manchester Stock Exchange.
