#contemporarylithograph

At the Ballet Duncan Grant Detail from his c1937 lithograph for the Contemporary Lithograph series to which Vanessa Bell also contributed. It was possibly the first of many efforts to provide 'good' contemporary illustration for classrooms and nurserys. As with the A.I.A. Prints, CEMA, The School Prints and The Penguin Prints that followed, all were commercial and more successful were those intended for publicity such as the Lyons, Shell & Guinness lithographs that were sold as an afterthought. #duncangrant #artforall #attheballet #contemporarylithograph #vanessabell #bloomsbury #charleston #lithography

The lesson Vanessa Bell Her contribution to the Contemporary Lithograph series, an exquisite composition of colour and pattern. Spotted at the Print Fair at the RA. Duncan Grant also contributed to the series, as did Bawden, Freedman and Ravilious. The series was commissioned by Robert Wellington of the Zwemmer Gallery with advice from Piper & Freedman. Vanessa Bell's exhibition at Dulwich in on until early June. #vanessabell @dulwichgallery #contemporarylithograph #RA

Narrow boats. Lyndon Lamb. Detail from his 1930s lithograph for the Contemporary Lithographs series. The cream of the contemporary illustrators (Piper, Nash, Ravilious,Freedman) were invited to contribute a lithograph aimed at the nursery, or young children. Sadly the series failed and surviving prints are scarce. #lyntonlamb #narrowboats #canals #canalart #barges #grandunioncanal #lithography #contemporarylithograph

Vanessa Bell. Contemporary Lithograph series. A further detail from Bell's lithograph for The Contemporary Lithograph series. The scheme was set up by John Piper and Robert Wellington, of the Zwemmer Gallery, and together they persuaded their artist friends to contribute to the lithographs. Sadly popular taste had yet to catch up and sales were poor, resulting in their scarcity today. A brave attempt at bringing quality contemporary art to schools and the nursery. This was on show at the London Original Print Fair at the weekend. #vanessabell #johnpiper #zwemmer #bloomsburycircle #contemporarylithograph #charleston #omegaworkshop

Vanessa Bell. Contemporary Lithograph series. A detail from Bell's contribution to the pre war Contemporary Lithograph series, aimed at bring the best of contemporary artists work to a wider public via lithographic prints. The series failed to sell and few survive now. I wish I had the Piper, or even this beauty! On show at the London Original Print Fair at the RA. #vanessabell #contemporarylithograph

John Piper. Nursery Frieze, 1936. Snip from his contribution to the Contemporary Lithograph series. All the elements for a childhood seaside holiday, the pier, the lighthouse, the beach. Wonderful! #johnpiper #nurseryfrieze #beach #contemporarylithograph #modernity #midcenturymodern #abstractiononthebeach