Artwork
Dancing In My Dreams With You!
Dancing In My Dreams With You! is a print by Haydn Mackey. It dates from 1935 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Haydn Mackey’s print titled “Dancing In My Dreams With You!” is a single proof from his series of woodcut and linocut experiments. The image, rendered in vivid hues, depicts a lively, music‑inspired scene composed of bold outlines and striking color fields. Because the work was never issued in large numbers, each surviving proof remains a singular example of Mackey’s printmaking practice.
Technique & Style
After cutting the design into wood or linoleum and printing it onto thin, transparent tracing paper, he applied opaque oil paint to the reverse side.
Mackey employed a two‑step process that combined traditional relief printing with reverse hand‑coloring. After cutting the design into wood or linoleum and printing it onto thin, transparent tracing paper, he applied opaque oil paint to the reverse side. The painted sheet was then pressed face‑down onto a creamy, oatmeal‑colored backing, allowing the colors to show through the paper while preserving the crispness of the carved lines.
Subject & Meaning
The composition suggests a rhythmic celebration, with figures poised as if moving to an unseen melody. The title reinforces the connection between visual movement and musical imagination, inviting viewers to envision a dreamlike dance that merges sound and sight through the interplay of color and form.
History & Provenance
Haydn Reynolds Mackey (1883–1979) worked as a book illustrator and printmaker, producing a range of commercial and fine‑art images, including magazine covers and sheet‑music designs. Although his prints were never widely distributed, several proofs, including this one, entered institutional collections such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, where they are preserved as evidence of his experimental approach.
Legacy
Mackey’s reverse‑coloring technique offers insight into early twentieth‑century print experimentation, bridging the gap between mass‑produced illustration and handcrafted fine art. The rarity of his proofs underscores the value of his contributions to the development of color in woodcut and linocut media, influencing later artists who explored similar hybrid methods.
Artist & collection
Artist
Haydn Mackey made prints in the first half of the 20th century, mixing everyday scenes with bold lettering.
