Norman Wilkinson CBE PRI Art

A portait of the first Allied airship to perform a bombing raid from the sky by a celebrated artist whose work hung on the Titanic. Watercolor and ink on heavy wove watercolor paper, 10 5/8 x 15 inches (270 x 380 mm). Signed in black watercolor in the lower right image area. In very good condition with minor surface soiling on the verso. Titled "Verdun" in pencil on the verso in the artist's hand. Adhered on the verso to matboard at the extreme margins with non archival tape. Presented handsomely in a simple, period maple frame. Titled, dated, inscribed and initialed by the artist on a label on the frame back. Born in Cambridge in 1898 and educated at Southsea School of Art, Norman Wilkinson is known for his graphic art, specifically his British Railway poster images, and also for something quite incredible; Wilkinson revolutionized the art of naval camouflage. Having been assigned to submarine patrols in Dardanelles, Gallipoli, and Gibraltar during WWI as a member of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, Wilkinson was deeply troubled by the unprecedented success the German submarine fleet had torpedoing British ships. He hoped to find a solution to this gaping vulnerability, and in a lightning bolt moment, he had an epiphany that would change everything. Wilkinson says in his autobiography, A Brush With Life (Seeley, 1969), that he realized a ship could be painted to hide its shape against the sea and sky. In his own words, Wilkinson states that the hull of a ship could be camouflaged "not for low visibility, but in such a way as to break up her form and thus confuse a submarine officer as to the course on which she was heading." After some preliminary testing, the theory Wilkinson called "dazzle camouflage" was accepted by British Admiralty and Wilkinson was placed in charge of the naval camouflage unit. The unit, which was headquartered in the basement of the Royal Academy of Arts, consisted of Wilkinson and about two dozen "camoufleurs;" they were artists, students, model makers and consultants, including a zoologist. The dazzle schemes were tested on models and then distributed to artists who were stationed at the docks, where the ships would be painted. At the end of the war Wilkinson was formally declared the inventor of dazzle camouflage and awarded for his contribution. Wilkinson went on to enjoy a long and celebrated career as a painter of maritime scenes, naval vessels, and warships. He served as the president of the Royal Institute of Painter in Water Colours (RI) from 1936 until 1963 (having been elected a member in 1906); he was elected Honourable Marine Painter to the Royal Yacht Squadron in 1919, and he was a member of the Royal Society of British Artists, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, the Royal Society of Marine Artists, and the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour. In 1918 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), and a Commander of the Order (CBE) in 1948. In January 1920 he was appointed knight (chevalier) of the Belgian Order of the Crown. Among the many notable points of interest regarding Wilkinson's career is that his painting Plymouth Harbour, which was commissioned by Cunard White Star Lines for the first class smoking room of the RMS Titanic, was lost at sea when it perished with the ship. Wilkinson had also created a comparable painting entitled The Approach to the New World, which hung in the same location on the Titanic's sister ship, the RMS Olympic...

Norman Wilkinson Tower of London Oil on canvas, signed lower left, dated June 1960 on verso Image Size: 23 1/2 x 17 1/2 inches (59.6 x 44.5 cm) Original gilt frame Provenance Tryon ...

Signed and dated '1902' lower right Contemporary style hand made frame Provenance: Tryon Gallery Private collection In this painting we can we Blackfriars Bridge in the background reaching across the River Thames with smoke billowing up into the sky behind. On the far right the unmistakable, and instantly recognisable, silhouette of St Pauls also breaks the sky line of the city. Finished in the early 18th Century, St Pauls has been a noticeable addition to the London cityscape ever since. This work by Wilkinson depicts 'The Pool' of London, a stretch of the River Thames from London Bridge to below Limehouse. As part of the Tideway of the Thames, the Pool was navigable by tall-masted vessels bringing coastal and oversea goods to the wharves that originally made up the Port of London. In 1909 the Pool came under the jurisdiction of the Port of London Authority. The docks here thrived until the late 1950s, despite suffering from extreme bomb damage during the Second World War. The tall-masted ships that Wilkinson has depicted here are perfect examples of traditionally rigged sailing craft of the time. They differ from modern sailing vessels in that they did not use newer materials (such as aluminium and steel) and have more complex rigging as a result. The term tall ship later came into widespread use in the mid-20th century with the advent of Tall Ships' races. Here, incredible attention to detail has been applied by Wilkinson in the accurate depiction of the various ships rigging...

Original vintage LMS London Midland and Scottish Railway travel poster for Blarney Castle - Ireland This Year - featuring scenic artwork by the notable British artist and illustrator...

Norman Wilkinson CBE PRI 1878 – 1971 THE BANN AT COLERAINE Oil on canvas, signed lower right Image size: 30 x 44 ½ inches (76 x 113 cm) Provenance Commissioned by British Railways 1...

Norman Wilkinson CBE PRI 1878 – 1971 RHUDDLAN CASTLE Oil on canvas, signed lower right Image size: 30 x 45 inches (76 x 114 cm) Hand made frame Provenance Commissioned by London, Mi...

Original. " "Just meet those schedules, will you?" vintage poster. Lithograph. U. S. Army Official Poster. An American pilot, complete with goggles and a flying cap, holds a map up while smiling with a headline of "Just meet those schedules, will you?". Linen-backed and ready to frame World War 2 vintage poster, 1944. This exclusive vintage World War II poster is a rare and beautiful piece of history. This original and authentic poster is truly a sight to behold, showcasing an iconic image of an Army Air Force...

Original vintage travel poster issued by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway LMS and London North Eastern Railway LNER - Dunkeld Cathedral River Tay It's quicker by rail - featu...

Original vintage World War Two home front poster issued to encourage people to buy war savings bonds and help win the war. Dramatic artwork by the notable British artist and illustra...

Original vintage World War Two home front poster issued to encourage people to buy war savings bonds and help win the war. Dramatic artwork by the notable British artist and illustra...

Norman Wilkinson 1878 - 1971 The Foreshore - Dover Oil on canvas, signed lower left and dated 1959 on verso Image size: 24½ x 38¾ inches Art Deco frame Proven...

Norman Wilkinson CBE PRI 1878 – 1971 HARROW SCHOOL Oil and gouache on paper, signed lower right Image size: 30 × 45 inches (76 × 114 cm) Original frame Provenance Commissioned by L...