Farmyard thumbnail 1
Farmyard thumbnail 2
+3
images
Not currently on display at the V&A

Farmyard

Tapestry
1950 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Edward Bawden was a British painter who trained as an illustrator, book designer and mural painter at the Royal College of Art from 1922-1925. He practised as an illustrator, poster designer and textile artist throughout the 1930s, evidentally returning to teach at the RCA. Bawden produced work for the Westminster Bank, the London Transport Board and the publishers Curwen Press for whom he made book covers and illustrations. In 1933 Bawden had his first solo exhibition at the Zwemmers Gallery in London. During the Second World War he served as an official war artist in the British Army, travelling to France, Belgium and the Middle East. His later work is celebrated for its simplicity and wit and he is remembered as one of Britain's most original and eccentric artists. Farmyard demonstrates the strong sense of colour that is to be found in much of his post war work and features humorous and lively imagery typical of Bawden. It was woven at the Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh by Ronald Cruickshank and apprentices Alex Jack, Fred Mann and Archie Brennan.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleFarmyard (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Tapestry woven wool
Brief description
Tapestry, 'Farmyard' design, designed by Edward Bawden, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1950
Physical description
Woollen tapestry with a design of a stylised farmyard scene. At the top a group of four placid cows face left. Below left is a stylised cluster of foliage enclosing a bird's nest containing four eggs. Below right stands a 'proud' turkey and beneath him two plump hens and a cock.

The tapestry is woven in multi-colours on a multi-coloured ground, and the colour change is effected by great deal of skilled hatching. The dominant hues are red and green outlined and detailed in dark blue. The scene is enclosed by a border of roundels patterned with simple and bold geometric motifs.

The tapestry is woven in woollen warp with 11 threads per inch and woollen weft with and average of 18 threads per inch.
Dimensions
  • Weighed on roller weight: 14kg (Note: Weight of objet, roller and storage pole.)
  • Top edge width: 1345mm
  • Bottom edge width: 1338mm
  • Proper right length: 1795mm
  • Proper left length: 1790mm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Farming designed by Edward Bawden RA / Woven by the Edinburgh Tapestry Co. Ltd. / The Dovecot Studios Corstorphine 1950 & etc. 3 / The Arts Council of Great Britain Scottish Committee' (Label on the reverse)
  • 'The Jublilee of the Dovecot Tapestries 1962 / No 26 'Farming' / Designed by Edward Bawden RSA / Property of the Edinbugh Tapestry Company' (Label on the reverse)
Subjects depicted
Summary
Edward Bawden was a British painter who trained as an illustrator, book designer and mural painter at the Royal College of Art from 1922-1925. He practised as an illustrator, poster designer and textile artist throughout the 1930s, evidentally returning to teach at the RCA. Bawden produced work for the Westminster Bank, the London Transport Board and the publishers Curwen Press for whom he made book covers and illustrations. In 1933 Bawden had his first solo exhibition at the Zwemmers Gallery in London. During the Second World War he served as an official war artist in the British Army, travelling to France, Belgium and the Middle East. His later work is celebrated for its simplicity and wit and he is remembered as one of Britain's most original and eccentric artists. Farmyard demonstrates the strong sense of colour that is to be found in much of his post war work and features humorous and lively imagery typical of Bawden. It was woven at the Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh by Ronald Cruickshank and apprentices Alex Jack, Fred Mann and Archie Brennan.
Collection
Accession number
T.273-1978

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 15, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSON