Writings & Scholarship
This page collects publications, critical writing and institutional references relating to the work of Michael Fell.
Together, these writings trace the reception of the work and situate it within wider discussions of post-war British art.
Researchers may wish to begin with the monograph before exploring the essays, reviews and other sources listed below.
Monograph and Major Publications
The Art of Michael Fell, ed. Andrew Wilton.
Unicorn Publishing Group, 2024. ISBN 9781739164058.
Fully illustrated monograph with chapters by William Packer, Adrian Bartlett, Rvrd. John Summers and Katie Alice Fitz Gerald.
A Taste of Armagnac.
Grosvenor Gallery, 1996.
Exhibition catalogue with an essay by Victoria Mitchell accompanying works produced in the Gers region.
Michael Fell, “Preface,” in A Taste of Armagnac (Grosvenor Gallery, 1996).
Artist’s preface reflecting on his working methods and engagement with Gascony.
An Exhibition of Modern Prints and Drawings, and Other Recent Acquisitions, 1967–1972.
British Museum, 1972. ISBN 0714107352.
Exhibition catalogue including works by Michael Fell.
Andrew Wilton, “Obituary: Michael Fell.” The Jackdaw, May–June 2023.
A reflective account of Fell’s life, work and studio practice.
Michael Daley, “The Art of Michael Fell.” The Jackdaw, Nov–Dec 2024.
A critical review of the 2024 monograph, situating Fell’s work within post-war figurative and printmaking traditions.
Selected Essays and Other Writing
An examination of Fell’s compositional discipline and narrative construction in painting across six decades.
Adrian Bartlett, “Printmaking,” in The Art of Michael Fell (2024).
A study of Fell’s etchings and aquatints, focusing on technique, drawing and tonal design.
Andrew Wilton and Rvrd John Summers, “Religion,” in The Art of Michael Fell (2024).
An exploration of Fell’s religious imagery and its place within European sacred traditions.
Crucifixus — unpublished essay by Rvrd John Summers.
A reflection on Fell’s treatment of Passion imagery, placing his work in dialogue with literary and theological sources.
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Michael Shepherd, “Bright Young Things.” The Sunday Telegraph, 1974 (undated press cutting).
Martin Davey, “Proof that Art of Etching Lives On.” Bury Free Press, 5 November 1999.
Maggie Goren and Dan Goren, “A Simple Easter”, Senecio, 2008. Poetry and music inspired by Fell’s Simple Easter series.
French press coverage
– La Dépêche du Midi, 26 July 2014
– Le Journal du Gers, 15 May 2022
Archival and Institutional References
The following references document institutional holdings, exhibition records and archival sources relating to Fell’s work.
• British Museum: database entries for Covent Garden – Early Morning, Covent Garden – Late Morning, Large Victoria Station, St Anne’s, Vauxhall (1972,0408.1–4).
• Ashmolean Museum: database entry for Palm Sunday (WA2016.86.81), from the A Simple Easter cycle.
• British Council Collection: database entry for Riverscape (P3853).
• Keele University Art Collection: database entry for Kennington Paddling Pool (1997/029).
• Baillieu Library: database entry for St Matthew’s Gospel (1991.2012.000.000).
• Chappel Galleries, Essex: exhibition documentation, 1993 and 1999.
• Bedford Schools Art Collection: local authority documents recording holdings.
Biographical References
• British Museum: artist biography (online).
• British Council Collection: artist biography (online).
• Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers (RE): artist entry and honorary membership record.
• “Fell, Michael,” Art UK (online), accessed 21 December 2025.
• “Fell, Michael,” in British and Irish Artists of the Twentieth Century, Art Dictionaries Ltd. (online), accessed 21 December 2025.
• Britain: A Fine Art Guide, ed. Annabel Terry-Engell. British Tourist Authority, 1980. ISBN 0900225998.
• Sir Anthony Fell MP, Biographical notes on Michael Fell (early life), unpublished manuscript. Physical copy held at the Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge. Family-authored biographical notes.
Personal Reflections and Memoirs
Michael Estorick, “Michael Fell.” Memoir, 2024.
A personal reflection on Fell’s character, artistic seriousness and lifelong commitment to art.