Bronze Age Gold from Wales

The Ideals

ROTHENSTEIN, William (Rothenstein was born in Bradford of German-Jewish descent. He studied at the Slade School of art, London and the Académie Julian, Paris. As well as being appointed official war artist to the British Army 1917-1918, he was artist to the Canadian army in 1919. Between 1920 and 1935 he served as Principal of the Royal College of Art and in 1931 he was knighted.)

Democracy, in the form of a female figures, has been unchained, whilst the cloaked, bowed German solder symbolising Tyranny is handcuffed, and the hope for the Future, in the form of a baby is presented by another to the arms of Democracy.

Rothenstein worked as a painter, lithographer, draughtsman and writer. Born in Bradford he went on to study at the Slade School, London and the Académie Julian, Paris. From 1891 Rothenstein was drawing the interest of artists such as Degas and Pissaro. He was appointed official war artist to the British Army in France, 1917-1918, and to the Canadian army of occupation, 1919. In 1931 he was knighted.

This work forms part of the portfolio 'The Great War: Britain's Efforts and Ideals' series of 66 lithographic prints commissioned by the Ministry of Information in 1917. The series provide a broad and fascinating representation of Britain's war objectives, military activities and effort on the Home Front.

Collection Area

Art

Item Number

NMW A 13162

Creation/Production

ROTHENSTEIN, William
Date:

Acquisition

Gift, 19/2/1919
Given by H. M. Ministry of Information

Measurements

h(cm) sheet size:55.6
h(cm)
w(cm) sheet size:79.2
w(cm)
h(cm) image size:43.3
h(cm)
w(cm) image size:71
w(cm)

Techniques

lithograph on paper
lithograph
Planographic printing
prints
Fine Art - works on paper

Material

ink
Paper

Location

In store
Comments are currently unavailable. We apologise for the inconvenience.