Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Towns > Shirley
Couple with a guitar, c1950. Creator: Shirley Markham
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Heritage Images
Couple with a guitar, c1950. Creator: Shirley Markham
Couple with a guitar, c1950. Shirley Markham (1931-1999) studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central School of Art in London from 1950-1952. The writer, artist, poet, and illustrator Mervyn Peake (1911-1968) was one of her tutors, and her style of drawing was also influenced by other British illustrators such as Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake and Edward Bawden. Markham spent time in the Dolomite Mountains in Italy, and also visited Rome, sketching classical buildings. After graduating from Central, she worked as a graphic designer, producing book illustrations, cartoons for comics, menus and programmes. She gave up her promising career however when she got married in 1957. Middle-class women at that time were expected to devote their energies to bringing up children and running the home, and despite her obvious talent, she lacked the confidence to return to illustration. Her portfolio remained in the family attic for many years, but now her work is published here for the first time
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 18265719
© Shirley Markham Collection / Heritage-Images
1950s Fifties Guitar Markham Seat Settee Shirley Shirley Jane Shirley Jane Markham Shirley Markham Shirley Waite Sofa Waite Playing An Instrument
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Arts
> Artists
> I
> Italian School Italian School
> Europe
> Italy
> Heritage Sites
> The Dolomites
> Europe
> Italy
> Lazio
> Rome
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Art
> Music
> Related Images
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Towns
> Shirley
> Popular Themes
> Poets
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photo print, titled "Couple with a guitar" captures the essence of love and music in the 1950s. The creator of this timeless piece is Shirley Markham, a talented artist who studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central School of Art in London during that era. Under the guidance of renowned tutor Mervyn Peake, as well as other influential British illustrators like Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake, and Edward Bawden, Markham developed her unique style. Markham's artistic journey took her to Italy's Dolomite Mountains and Rome, where she sketched classical buildings that would later inspire her work. After graduating from Central School of Art, she embarked on a successful career as a graphic designer, lending her creative touch to book illustrations, comics' cartoons, menus, and programmes. However promising her career may have been though when she married in 1957 societal expectations prevailed over personal aspirations for middle-class women at the time. Despite possessing undeniable talent as an illustrator herself; Markham lacked confidence to pursue it further after marriage. Consequently leaving behind an impressive portfolio that remained hidden away in the family attic for years. Now finally revealed to the world for the first time through this publication by Heritage Images (not affiliated with any company), Shirley Markham's artwork can be appreciated anew. This particular photograph encapsulates not only the joyous union between two individuals but also serves as a poignant reminder of how societal norms often stifled women's ambitions during that period.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
