Sir Roger DE GRAY, KCVO PRA (1918-1995)

Sir Roger DE GRAY, KCVO PRA (1918-1995) 
"The Road to St Symphorien, II", 1982
Signed “Roger De Gray" lower left and numbered 24/50
Limited Edition Screenprint
30.75 cm x 22.75cm 

Literature
Illustrated and described p 64. Frank Whitford & Jane Martineau, “Roger De Gray”, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1996 

Exhibited
No. 34 “Roger De Gray”, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 11 July - 22 September 1996 (the original oil)

From around the 1970's onwards Roger De Gray was drawn increasingly to the landcape of the Charente-Maritime on the western coast of France, an area known for its hot summer climate. This picture in particular captures a feeling heat within a pine wood. The forêt de la Coubre (one of the regions largest pine forests) is a major feature of the Charente-Maritime's landscape. With regards to this particular scene, the artist recalled:

“I had found an idyll in a particular bit of wood which it seemed would last the rest of my life" 1

Having captured this piece of woodland in paint, he returned the following year to make further pictures - only to discover that the trees here had all been felled and the woods bulldozed flat.

Roger de Grey was a nephew of the Camden Town artist Spencer Gore. He had a long and very distinguished career as an artist and teacher. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1962 he became a full Academician in 1969. He was made President in 1984 and served as such until 1993. His obituary in 'The Independent' described him as "one of the Academy’s greatest presidents of this century".

Notes
1. p 64. Frank Whitford & Jane Martineau, “Roger De Gray”, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1996