John Hassall RI (1868-1948) - 1902 Watercolour Long Life, Health and Happiness

Description

Set against a dark background, an elderly woman with weathered features returns the viewer's gaze in this characterful watercolour portrait by the poster artist John Hassall. Signed and dated to the lower right. Titled on a label to the reverse. Presented in a dark wooden frame. On watercolour paper.

Condition

Signs of wear consistent with age, including discolouration. Marks and scuffs to the frame. Slight separation to the joints.

Size

34.5 x 24.5cm (13.6" x 9.6")
Framed Size: 54.5 x 44cm (21.5" x 17.3")

Artist Biography

Painter, illustrator, and poster artist, John Hassall was arguably the first great railway poster artist. He was born in Walmer, Kent and educated at Worthing School and Newton Abbot College. He emigrated to Canada but returned to London after his drawings were accepted by The Graphic. In 1895 Hassall began work as an advertising artist for David Allen & Sons, a career which lasted fifty years and included such well-known projects as the poster *Skegness Is so Bracing* (1908). Between 1896 and 1899 alone, he produced over 600 theatre poster designs for this firm while, at the same time, providing illustrations to several illustrated newspapers. Making use of flat colours enclosed by thick black lines, his poster style was very suitable for children's books, and he produced many volumes of nursery rhymes and fairy stories. In 1900 Hassall started his art school known as the New Art School and School of Poster Design based in Kensington. In 1914, at the commencement of World War I, the school closed and when hostilities ceased he ran the successful John Hassall Correspondence School. After the war, he contributed to Drawing Magazine, Pearson's Magazine and The Sketch.