Accidental Alchemy: Oliver Simon, Signature Magazine, and the rise of British Neo-Romantic Art

Accidental Alchemy: Oliver Simon, Signature Magazine, and the rise of British Neo-Romantic Art

Neil Wells
Our Price:  £16.99
List Price:  £30.00
Saving Of:  43%

Availability:  

  

In stock

Author:  Neil Wells
Condition:  New
Format:  Hardback
Pages:  208
Publisher:  Unicorn Publishing Group
Year:  2022
ISBN:  9781914414343

The significant influence of the periodical Signature on fine art has long been overlooked. While few people nowadays will have read it, no journal has greater claim to have stimulated the taste that became British neo-romanticism in the mid-20th century.

Oliver Simon, its editor, publisher, patron and printer was something of an enigma. Although shy, he somehow knew 'everyone' in the London literary and arts scene during the 1930s and 40s. So outwardly conservative to be dubbed 'the archbishop' by Ben Nicholson, Oliver elicited adventurous art from his artist contributors to Signature.

The Signature artists were fellow travellers on a journey: young artists working in commercial art to pay the bills. Having mastered graphic techniques for applied purposes they then began to apply what they learned to their own artwork. Then they went off to War...

Those interested in the work of Paul Nash, John Piper, Graham Sutherland, Edward Bawden, and Barnett Freedman will enjoy the story of the influence and fellowship of Oliver Simon, Signature, and the Curwen Press, on their art.

You may also like
British Art Since 1900
Frances Spalding
Condition: Used, Like New
£8.95   £3.99

Traces the development of British art and examines the careers of influential artists such as John Singer Sargent, Vanessa Bell, and David Hockney.


The Fall and Rise of the British Left
Andrew Murray
Condition: New
£14.99   £5.99

The return of British socialism: Where does it comes from? Why now? And where is it going?


The Ambassador Magazine: Promoting Post-War British Textiles and Fashion
Condition: New
£35.00   £6.99

The Ambassador has been described as 'probably the most daring and enterprising trade magazine ever conceived'. This book takes a detailed look at the background and impact of the magazine and the ambitious photo shoots that showcased the latest couture fashions.