THE growing collection of artist EH Whydale s etchings are being displayed in an exhibition at the Royston and District Museum. Between 30 and 40 etchings will be on display and will be showing a cross-section of his work , said museum curator Carole Kas

THE growing collection of artist EH Whydale's etchings are being displayed in an exhibition at the Royston and District Museum.

Between 30 and 40 etchings will be on display and will be showing "a cross-section of his work", said museum curator Carole Kaszak

She continued: "The exhibition is quite unique as it is the first opportunity the museum has had to display such a vast array of his etchings.

"It's right to say that it is a major exhibition in its own right," she said.

The etchings cover subjects from horses and landscapes to people and places and are acknowledged to be the artist's finest work.

The exhibition is being complemented with the launch of a catalogue giving details on the collection in the museum.

Christine Whitbourn has been responsible for the catalogue, which has seen her spending the past two years researching the life and work of Mr Whydale.

"She has found the task to be both absorbing and tantalising," said Carole.

EH Whydale was born in Yorkshire the son of a Methodist minister and he moved to Royston in 1918. He lived in Newmarket Road and then Tannery Drift, where he built a studio to become known as Fagg's Folly.

His work covered a range of subjects from landscapes, still life and portraits, but the scenes of horses and agricultural subjects showed his keen interest in the everyday life of the countryside around Royston.

He was a skilful etcher and in 1918 he was elected an associate of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers and his reputation was such that in 1924 he was commissioned to do a miniature etching of a doll's house belonging to Queen Mary.

Carole said: "It's quite an achievement for the museum to have collected so many of his works. The collection has been gradually built up over the years and we are seeing the results of pursuing a policy to seek out his work.

"I don't believe an exhibition of his etchings in this quantity has been put on before," she added.

- The exhibition will run from Saturday to Sunday, July 30.

- The museum is open Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10am-4.45pm and Sunday and Bank Holidays from 2-4.45pm.