Lucie Rie

by Tony Birks

Tony Birks' much praised biography was written with the full cooperation of the potter, whose friendship with the author spanned more than a quarter of a century It stands as the only complete account of the life and work of this extraordinary figure in European ceramics Lucie Rie made her first pots in 1923, her last in 1990. Born Lucie Gomperz in Vienna in 1902, she came to England in 1938 to escape the Nazis. Her artistic achievement closely related to the encouragement and personal inspiration provided by a series of men. As Lucie herself said, "I am man-made". Simple, yet infinitely subtle and complex, Lucie Rie pots approach excellence not by refinement to an ever purer it is by their sturdiness and their a combination of opposites, economy and luxuriance, lightness and dark. As a person, she showed the same combination of opposites. Her diminutive size belied her determination, her capacity for work. She received many honours, an OBE in 1968, a CBE in 1981, and was made a Dame in 1991. She was much written about, and was the subject of a BBC film. Lucie Rie died in 1995.

Genres: Art

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Anthony]

A very informative and readable biography of this great potter, written in collaboration with the artist. What is lost in terms of critical distance is made up by closeness and lived experience. Great technical notes for the uninitiated (like me). Nice reproductions, many in color. I’m curious to know if the biography by Emmanuel Cooper is more thorough and detailed, especially as regards the art-historical importance of Rie’s work.

[Yifan]

Read finish this at NLB - pretty interesting to see how Lucie as a modern potter, she was not following many of the "best practice" conventions (eg. bisque firing, gas kiln). A refreshing read!

[Lumax]

My very favorite potter.

[Sarah]

What an inspirational book. Lots of great pics of beautiful bowls, as well as interesting biography.

[Wendyjune]

brilliant. This woman is incredible. If you are into clay this is the best!

[Nonna]

Incredible and beautiful book. I got it in print, actually... Couldn't resist and order from UK.
Such an inspirational life and work. Love her!