A sale of 60-plus limited edition prints and aquatints by Ann Le Bas, who died last year, will be sold for the benefit of Winsford on Saturday, September 25.

Ann’s home for most of her life, Exe Vale House, was bought from Mr Steer, the Winsford builder, by her grandfather. He founded the Exmoor Pony Society and the family were always involved in riding and hunting on Exmoor.

Ann, whose ancestors came to England in the 17th century following the persecution of the Protestant Huguenots in France, regularly attended St Mary Magdalene Church in Winsford where she was a churchwarden for 25 years.

As both a painter and a printmaker, she was a member of the Royal Society of Painter Print-Makers (RE, retaining the original ‘engraver’ epithet) and the New English Art Club (NEAC).

Her work has been exhibited widely, including at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and New English Art Club Annual Exhibition. She also had an ‘Open Studio’ for many years, organised by the Somerset Artwork Group.

Ann was born in 1923 and trained at art college in London where she was taught by A R Middleton Todd, Rodney Burn and Henry Wilkinson, who taught her engraving.

She undertook various commissions including those for the National Trust Foundation for Art, and the Bishop of Bath and Wells. She has prints in the Ashmolean permanent collection and is also represented in the Fitzwilliam Museum, as well as in numerous private collections

Ann is remembered as a kind and generous person who loved Winsford and Exmoor. She gave land for the cricket club, tennis courts, and her woods to Badgworthy Land. Always a source of great knowledge of ‘all things Exmoor, she is sadly missed. 

The sale is at Winsford Village Hall from 2pm to 5pm. Cash or cheques only.