CARTER, Frederick

Frederick Carter (1885-1967) was a painter, wood engraver and etcher born in Bradford. He abandoned an early career as a civil engineer and surveyor to study art in Paris, 1904, Antwerp, 1909-10 and in London 1908-11. In 1910-1916, and again in 1922, he was elected A.R.E. (Associate of the Royal Society of Etchers and Engravers). Between 1922 and 1927 he taught etching at the Liverpool School of Art, where he himself had once studied under Sir Frank Short.

Carter was fascinated by the astrological and magical and became a mystic symbolist artist and associated with Aleister Crowley. He worked on illustrations for D.H. Lawrence’s book, ‘Apocalypse’, that had begun its life as an introduction to Carter’s own book, ‘Dragon of Revelations’, published 1932, and which Carter had sent to Lawrence in New Mexico. Lawrence was apparently been attracted to Carter’s ideas and the two men met in Shropshire to discuss the collaborative venture.

Carter also worked closely with the occultist, Austin Osman Spare, to produce the journal ‘Form’. Carter wrote under the pseudonym ‘Francis Marsden’ and produced illustrations for the journal. His etchings and illustrations for the journal and other publications spurred him to write and illustrate his own books, published between 1926 and 1932.

He showed his work at the Royal Academy, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, New English Art Club.