Harold S. Rathbone Paintings

Harold Steward Rathbone was born in 1858 in England into the prosperous Rathbone family, who were prominent as social reformers and members of Parliament. Despite the potential for a career in politics or business, Rathbone was drawn to the arts from an early age. His passion for art led him to study at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, and later at the South Kensington School of Art. He was greatly influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement, which was gaining momentum during his formative years as an artist.

Rathbone's artistic career is particularly noted for his involvement with the Della Robbia Pottery in Birkenhead, which he founded in 1894. This endeavour was inspired by his visit to Italy, where he became enamored with the glazed terracotta reliefs created by the Renaissance artist Luca della Robbia. Rathbone sought to revive this technique and adapt it within the context of the Arts and Crafts ethos. The pottery produced a range of items, from architectural tiles to decorative panels and vases, characterized by their vivid glazes and often featuring naturalistic and symbolic motifs.

The Della Robbia Pottery, under Rathbone's artistic direction, employed local artisans and provided an environment that encouraged artistic collaboration and experimentation. Despite the commercial challenges faced by the pottery, it managed to survive until 1906, largely due to Rathbone's personal investment and commitment to the Arts and Crafts principles of handcraftsmanship and design integrity.

After the closure of the pottery, Harold Rathbone continued to work in arts, although he never achieved the same level of success as he did with the Della Robbia Pottery. He remained a figure with strong aesthetic values and continued to contribute to the local art scene until his death in 1929. Rathbone's legacy is reflected in the pieces produced by the Della Robbia Pottery, which are now considered significant examples of the British Arts and Crafts Movement and are collected and exhibited in museums around the world.