Studio: international art (63.1914/15)

Recent London Posters

LONDON UNDERGROUND RAILWAY POSTER. BY FRED
TAYLOR

commodities have had their influence on the ideas
of poster artists, while designers have to thank
theatre managers, shipping and railway companies
for being fairly constant in their allegiance to the
designed poster. It is only right that the railways
especially should contribute to the prosperity of
artists in this way. Some slight return is due to
them for feelings outraged by the disfigurement of
the landscape near the permanent way, a transgres-
sion for which, it is only fair to say, the companies
themselves are not always directly responsible.

During the last few years the most enterprising
investors in posters have been the managers of
the London Underground Railway. Those con-
cerned seem to have entered upon the pursuit of
talent with real enthusiasm and they have been
very successful in their captures. Their boldness
in selection has been equalled only by their experi-
ments in reproduction, and it is no exaggeration to
say that the issue of every new design from this
source has been an event in the world of art.

From among the large number of " Under-
ground " posters so many remain in the memory
that it is not difficult to mention some of the more
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interesting in the series, which, it may hoped, is
only beginning. Putting the last first, as it is so con-
spicuous at the present time, there is the recruiting
poster by Mr. Frank Brangwyn. This fine design
makes a powerful appeal and it forms an epitome
of war. It is a subject-picture if ever there was
one and gives us a story of broken domestic ties,
patriotism, heroism, vandalism and tragedy.

Mr. Brangwyn's poster brings to mind another,
which, with its suggestion of sadness, has not failed
to touch the hearts of all who have seen it. The
Workers' Way, by Mr. Spencer Pryse, is an impres-
sive study of some London types, and the com-
position is successful as an advertisement because
it has the power to make people think. It gives
more than a hint of the troublous lives of the poor,
and though it may seem curious that such a topic,
always before us in reality, should be serviceable
as a placard, its appeal has proved stronger than
many with more cheerful motives.

Mr. Tony Sarg has been an esteemed contributor
to the " Underground" series. His humour is
keen and his point of view novel. Even when he is

LONDON UNDERGROUND RAILWAY POSTER. BY FRED
TAYLOR