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Print - Barrows of Birmingham

Barrows of Birmingham

  • Object:

    Print

  • Place of origin:

    Great Britain (made)

  • Date:

    ca. 1955 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    O'Connor, John Scorrer A.R.E., A.R.C.A., born 1913 (artist)
    Barrows (commissioned by)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Wood-engraving on paper

  • Credit Line:

    Given by the artist

  • Museum number:

    E.674-1994

  • Gallery location:

    Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C, case 1A, box EW149B

John O'Connor (born 1942) belongs to a small group of wood engravers who took up the technique after its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s. He was a student of Eric Ravilious at the RCA between 1934 and 1937 and also worked for a short while for the Curwen Press.

Physical description

Proof of a wood-engraved illustration for an advertising folder for the department store Barrows of Birmingham. The image features a table set for tea with teapots, mugs, plates and napkins, bowls of bread rolls and celery, and a vase of flowers. The table is set at a window with transparent curtains overlooking a garden and there is a Windsor armchair set facing towards the viewer. The table is set for two but the second chair is not visible.

Place of Origin

Great Britain (made)

Date

ca. 1955 (made)

Artist/maker

O'Connor, John Scorrer A.R.E., A.R.C.A., born 1913 (artist)
Barrows (commissioned by)

Materials and Techniques

Wood-engraving on paper

Marks and inscriptions

J O'C
Inscribed in pencil

For Barrows of Birmingham 1950s
Inscribed in pencil on back

Dimensions

Height: 14.3 cm folded sheet, Width: 11.2 cm folded sheet, Height: 8.7 cm image, Width: 7 cm image

Object history note

Acquired in connection with the display A Fine Line - Commercial Wood Engraving in Britain, V&A, 10 October 1994 - 26 March 1995.

Descriptive line

Proof of a wood-engraved illustration for an advertising folder for the department store Barrows of Birmingham, by John O'Connor; British, ca. 1955.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

A Fine Line - Commercial Wood Engraving in Britain, Victoria and Albert Museum, 10 Oct 1994 - 26 Mar 1995

Labels and date

John O'CONNOR (born 1913)
...
Barrows of Birmingham
Proof for an advertising folder. c.1955
Wood engraving
E.674-1994

The artist's first wood engraving for Barrows was done when he was
working for a few months at the Curwen Press in the 1930s to gain
some experience of commercial printing. He also gained a number
of commissions through Robert Harling when he was working at
Everett Advertising. Within these sympathetic conditions he could
explore his interest in pattern and light, an interest he shared with
his ex-tutor Ravilious. []

Materials

Ink; Paper

Techniques

Wood-engraving

Subjects depicted

Bowls; Salt cellar; Table; Teapot; Windsor chairs; Napkin; Garden; Vase; Curtains; Flowers; Celery; Plates; Sash window; Mugs

Categories

Prints; Illustration; Advertising; Images Online

Production Type

Artist's proof

Collection

Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection

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