Definition
Arthur Mayger Hind (9 April 1880 – 19 June 1957) was a British art historian and museum curator, best known for his scholarship on printmaking and his tenure as Keeper of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum.
Overview
Born in London, Hind was educated at the City of London School and later at the University of London, where he earned a degree in Classics. He began his career at the British Museum in 1903 as an assistant in the Department of Prints and Drawings. Over the following decades, Hind rose through the museum’s ranks, becoming Deputy Keeper in 1929 and Keeper (the head of the department) in 1931, a position he held until his retirement in 1945.
During his tenure, Hind expanded the museum’s collection of European prints, particularly works by Rembrandt, Dürer, and French 18th‑century printmakers. He also played a pivotal role in organising major exhibitions and publishing scholarly catalogues that set standards for print scholarship in the United Kingdom.
Hind was a prolific author. His most influential work, A History of Engraving and Etching (first published in 1908, with later editions), offered a comprehensive overview of print techniques, artistic developments, and the social context of printmaking from the Renaissance to the early 20th century. He also contributed entries to the Dictionary of National Biography and authored monographs on individual artists, including a detailed study of the Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn.
In recognition of his contributions, Hind was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 1941 and received the Medal of the Royal Numismatic Society. He served on the editorial board of The Burlington Magazine and was a member of several international art-historical societies.
Etymology / Origin
The given name “Arthur” derives from the Celtic elements artos (“bear”) and wiros (“man”) and has been popular in English-speaking cultures since the medieval period. “Mayger” is a family surname of uncertain origin, possibly a variant of “Maeger” or “Mayger,” which may have Germanic roots. “Hind” is an English surname historically associated with the Old English word hinde meaning “female deer,” often used as a topographic or occupational name.
Characteristics
- Specialisation: Hind’s scholarship focused on the history and technique of printmaking, with particular expertise in engraving, etching, and lithography.
- Curatorial Impact: He significantly enhanced the British Museum’s print collection, acquiring key works and improving cataloguing practices.
- Publication Record: Authored seminal texts such as A History of Engraving and Etching (1908, 1925, 1935 editions) and The Development of the Print in England (1939).
- Academic Recognition: Fellow of the British Academy; recipient of the Royal Numismatic Society’s medal; frequent lecturer at institutions including the University of Oxford and the Courtauld Institute of Art.
- Methodology: Emphasised rigorous provenance research, technical analysis of printing processes, and the social history of print consumption.
Related Topics
- British Museum, Department of Prints and Drawings
- History of printmaking
- Engraving and etching techniques
- Rembrandt van Rijn (print oeuvre)
- The Burlington Magazine (art historical journal)
- Fellows of the British Academy
- Royal Numismatic Society
Note: The information presented is drawn from established biographical and institutional records concerning Arthur Mayger Hind.