Norman Wilkinson CBE PRI Furniture

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...

Original vintage travel poster - Britain in Autumn - featuring a scenic countryside painting by the notable British artist and illustrator Norman Wilkinson (1878-1971) depicting a co...

ARTIST: Norman Wilkinson CBE RI (1878-1971) English TITLE: "The Cauld River Tweed Scotland" & "the River Avon Ibsely Hampshire" (A PAIR) SIGNED: lower right and lower left MEDIUM: w...

Original vintage travel poster - Britain in Autumn - featuring a scenic countryside painting by the notable British artist and illustrator Norman Wilkinson (1878-1971) depicting a co...

Original vintage LMS London Midland and Scottish railway travel poster - Rock of Cashel Ireland for Holidays - featuring artwork b...

Original vintage cruise ship travel poster advertising Blue Star Line De Luxe Mail Service to South America calling at Boulogne, Lisbon, Madeira, Teneri...

Original vintage LMS London Midland and Scottish Railway travel poster - The Lake District For Holidays - featuring a scenic view of Grasmere by the notable British artist and illust...

USS North Carolina Oil on Canvas Board, Signed and Framed Norman Wilkinson was an artist in oil, watercolour and drypoint, usually of marine subject...

Original vintage LMS railway travel poster - British Industries Fishing - issued by the London Midland & Scottish Railway featuring a stunning painting by ...

Gracie Fields had many visitors to her wonderful villa on the Isle of Capri, she entertained Artists, Actors and Musicians. This painting is the view f...

Wilkinson fishing etching, the Spey pool. A nicely framed angling picture, leaping salmon, signed in pencil by the artist Norman Wilkinson. On the rev...

Original vintage travel poster published by the LMS London Midland and Scottish Railway promoting Ireland For Holidays. Stunning painting by the notable British artist and illustrato...