William Ian Strang, R.E., (11 April 1886 – 23 March 1952) was a British

draughtsman A draughtsman (British spelling) or draftsman (American spelling) may refer to: * An architectural drafter, who produced architectural drawings until the late 20th century * An artist who produces drawings that rival or surpass their other types ...

and

etcher Etching is traditionally the process of using strong acid or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in intaglio (incised) in the metal. In modern manufacturing, other chemicals may be used on other types ...

who specialised in topographical subjects.

Biography

Strang was born in London, the eldest son of William Strang, an internationally known etcher, and his wife Alice née Rogerson. He studied at the

Slade School of Art The UCL Slade School of Fine Art (informally The Slade) is the art school of University College London (UCL) and is based in London, England. It has been ranked as the UK's top art and design educational institution. The school is organised as ...

from 1902 until 1906 with

Henry Tonks Henry Tonks, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, FRCS (9 April 1862 – 8 January 1937) was a British surgeon and later draughtsman and painter of figure subjects, chiefly interiors, and a Caricature, caricaturist. He became an influentia ...

and under

Jean-Paul Laurens Jean-Paul Laurens (; 28 March 1838 – 23 March 1921) was a French painter and sculptor, and one of the last major exponents of the French Academic style. Biography Laurens was born in Fourquevaux and was a pupil of Léon Cogniet and Alexand ...

at the

Académie Julian The Académie Julian () was a private art school for painting and sculpture founded in Paris, France, in 1867 by French painter and teacher Rodolphe Julian (1839–1907) that was active from 1868 through 1968. It remained famous for the number a ...

in Paris, 1906–8. Strang held his first solo exhibition at the Goupil Gallery in 1914. He served in the Middlesex and Royal Berkshire Regiments (1914–19) during the First World War. Strang also produced some artworks during the War and the British War Memorials Committee purchased one large painting and several drawings of French battlefields from him. Strang exhibited at the

Royal Academy The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly in London. Founded in 1768, it has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. Its pur ...

from 1923 and the New English Art Club from 1919. He was an early member of the

Society of Graphic Art The Society of Graphic Art for Pornographique (renamed Society of Graphic Fine Art in 1984) is a British arts organisation established in 1999. History The Society of Graphic Art (SGA) was founded in 1999 by Frank Lewis Emanuel, whose idea it wa ...

and exhibited at their first annual exhibition in 1921. Strang was elected an Associate member of the

Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers The Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers (RE), known until 1991 as the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers, is a leading art institution based in London, England. The Royal Society of Painter-Etchers, as it was originally styled, was ...

in 1925 and became a full member in 1930. He also visited and studied in Italy, Belgium, Spain and Sicily. Among his paintings was a notable portrait of

James Dickson Innes James Dickson Innes (27 February 1887 – 22 August 1914) was a British painter, mainly of mountain landscapes but occasionally of figure subjects. He worked in both oils and watercolours. Style Of his style, art historian David Fraser Jenkins ...

. In 1944 Strang submitted five drawings of bomb damaged buildings in central London to the War Artists' Advisory Committee, WAAC, and the Committee purchased four of them. WAAC purchased a further two drawings of similar subjects in July 1945 for thirty guineas. Strang was married to Frances and had a brother, David Strang (1887-1967), who was an artist and printmaker. Ian Strang died at Wavendon, Buckinghamshire, on 23 March 1952. A memorial exhibition was held at the Leicester Galleries in 1952.

Publications

*''Town and Country in Southern France''. 1937. (with Frances Strang) *''The Student's Book of Etching''. 1938.

References

External links

*
''Chateau Fort, Foix''
Tate Gallery.
Cordes & Alcantra Bridge, Toledo & Place St Salvi, Albi by Ian Strang.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Strang, Ian 1886 births 1952 deaths 20th-century English painters 20th-century British printmakers Académie Julian alumni Alumni of the Slade School of Fine Art Artists from London British Army personnel of World War I British war artists English etchers English illustrators English male painters World War I artists World War II artists 20th-century English male artists