Norman Wilkinson CBE PRI Prints and Multiples
British, 1878-1971
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 (elected 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 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, for the Titanic's sister ship, the RMS Olympic. This work may be seen in the 1958 film A Night to Remember in scenes aboard the Titanic, where is served as the stand-in for Plymouth Harbor.to
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Artist: Norman Wilkinson CBE PRI
Original "Just Meet Those Schedules, Will You?" vintage poster
By Norman Wilkinson
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Original. " "Just meet those schedules, will you?" vintage poster. Lithograph. U. S. Army Official Poster. An American pilot, complete with goggles and a flying cap, holds a map up while smiling with a headline of "Just meet those schedules, will you?". Linen-backed and ready to frame World War 2 vintage poster, 1944.
This exclusive vintage World War II poster is a rare and beautiful piece of history. This original and authentic poster is truly a sight to behold, showcasing an iconic image of an Army Air Force...
Category
1940s American Realist Norman Wilkinson CBE PRI Prints and Multiples
Materials
Offset
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Norman Wilkinson Cbe Pri prints and multiples for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Norman Wilkinson CBE PRI prints and multiples available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Norman Wilkinson CBE PRI in paper, offset print and more. Not every interior allows for large Norman Wilkinson CBE PRI prints and multiples, so small editions measuring 20 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Georges Schreiber, Gordon Grant, and Franz Oswald Schiffers. Norman Wilkinson CBE PRI prints and multiples prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,207 and tops out at $3,964, while the average work can sell for $1,250.