Walter Ritchie Explained

Walter Ritchie (1919–1997) was a British sculptor.^[1]

Biography

Ritchie was one of the last living pupils of Eric Gill at Pigotts near High Wycombe before the Second World War. Eric Gill died in 1940. Many of his public works were in stone, wood, metal and brick relief, as many of his commissions were for public buildings it depended on how much money was available to what materials were used and a lot of schools and public building chose brick as they could get more for the money, but some have suffered loss from building redevelopment.

Sir Herbert Read took an interest in the young sculptor and tried to introduce him to the London social life where he would be assured commissions. Instead, Ritchie chose to stay at home in Kenilworth which he had moved to in 1940 because of the Coventry Blitz.^[2]

Public works

• Man's Struggle: Two large Portland stone reliefs in Coventry Precinct (created between 1954 and 1959) Since relocated to the outer wall of the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry.
• "Richard Lee Memorial Sculpture - Dove of Peace" Bronze approx 4570mm, on 4m pole, Richard Lee School, The Drive, Coventry. Wooden sculpture for the Dove before casting in Bronze is displayed in the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry.
• The Queen and the Washerwomen: Intaglio relief in brown-veined Napoleon marble. Commission for Natwest Bank 1980. 32 Corn Street Bristol.
• The Creation: Series of large carved brick relief panels at Bristol Eye Hospital (created between 1981 and 1986).
• Len Hutton: The Oval cricket ground, London (created between 1988 and 1993).
• Three Aspects of a Girls Education: North Leamington School.^[3]
• Lovers: Brick relief panel, Delapré Abbey Walled Garden, Northampton (damaged).
• Lady with Kittens: Brick relief panel, Delapré Abbey, Northampton.
• The Flight into Egypt: Brick relief at St Joseph's Church, Whitnash, Warwickshire.^[4]
• Growth: Aluminium sculpture, Kenilworth School and Sixth Form, Kenilworth, Warwickshire.^[5]

Publications

• Book: Ritchie, Walter . 2 . Sculpture In Brick & Other Materials . 1978 . Walter Ritchie . 978-0950620503 .
• Book: Ritchie, Walter . 2 . Brick Sculptures . 1979 . ^[6]
• Book: Ritchie, Walter . 2 . Walter Ritchie Sculpture . 1994 . W. Ritchie . 978-0950620558 .

Illustrations for publications

• Quadruped Octaves (1983) (/ 0-9506205-3-X) Hall, Gaston. Illustrated by W. Ritchie.
• Alphabet Aviary (1986) by Gaston Hall, illustrations W. Ritchie.

Published by Ritchie (Kenilworth)

• My time with Eric Gill – A Memoir by Donald Potter (1980) . Limited edition of 500 copies [An erratum slip glued into books states that only 400 copies were printed].
• Damaged Beauty needs a new design: 20 Poems (1981) by John Bate. Limited edition of 310 copies.

Notes and References

1. News: Obituary: Walter Ritchie . Byron . Rogers . 19 February 1997 . . UK . 9 February 2016 .
2. News: Rogers . Byron . The Arts: Sculpture – do's and don'ts Walter Ritchie's career... . . 12 May 1996 .
3. Web site: Walter Ritchie Sculpture Becomes Centrepiece of the New North Leamington School's 'Heritage Trail' — North Leamington School . 30 January 2010 . 7 October 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111007071105/http://www.northleamingtonschool.warwickshire.sch.uk/news-events/general/walter-ritchie-sculpture-becomes-centrepiece-of . dead .
4. Web site: St Joseph's Parish . St Joseph's Parish website . UK . 8 September 2014 .
5. Web site: Geograph:: Walter Ritchie sculpture 'Growth' at... © John Brightley cc-by-sa/2.0. www.geograph.org.uk.
6. Book: Ritchie, Walter. Brick sculptures by Walter Ritchie: [catalogue of an exhibition held at the 35th International Building and Construction Exhibition, Olympia, London, 14-24 November, 1973]]. 19 April 1973. [Brick Development Association]. 21107210M. The Open Library.