Englische Graphik (1923).
More art that caught my attention this week. Edward Wadsworth (1889–1949) is one of those artists with a single work that turns up regularly in social media, prompting a “Wow!” response before everyone moves onto something else. Dazzle Ships in Dry Dock at Liverpool (1919) is the Wadsworth that everyone likes, a painting that combines the artist’s persistent theme of ships and shipping with his experience as a member of the Vorticists, and a designer of “dazzle” camouflage for marine vessels. The dazzle fad didn’t last very long, and was of doubtful utility in any case, but it did give us many pictures of destroyers and batteships painted like floating masses of abstract art.
Platelayers’ Sheds (1914/1918).
Wadsworth’s prints, which include a few dazzle ships, are the kind of bold black-and-white art I always enjoy seeing, pictures that push their representations to the edge of abstraction. The woodcuts differ so much from his later paintings—quasi-Surrealist accumulations of tidal flotsam and other objects arranged against views of the seashore—they might be the work of a different artist altogether.
Liverpool Shipping (1918).
Dock Scene (c.1918).
Townscape (1920).
Tugs (1918).
Minesweepers in Port (1918).
SS Jerseymoor (1918).
Yorkshire (1920, dated 1921).
Newcastle (1913).
Blast Furnaces (1919).
Harbour of Flushing (1914).
Dazzle Ship in Dry Dock (1918).
Camouflaged Ship in Dry Dock (1918).
Previously on { feuilleton }
• Félix Vallotton woodcuts
Wow is right. I’m going to have to seek out a print of Yorkshire 1920.
Dazzle Ships sounds like a term from a Cordwainer Smith story.
Allow me to recommend Roy R Behrens’ enormously entertaining book False Colors: Art, Design and Modern Camouflage. Not only does he tell some great stories he has some interesting things to say about the connections between art, design, and camouflage. WWI as surrealistic project. Profusely illustrated!
Wadsworth’s painting famously inspired the title and cover design of Dazzle Ships by OMD, an album whose elaborate gatefold cover art (the work of multiple designers) I’ve always considered to be better than the music within.
https://www.discogs.com/master/30447-OMD-Dazzle-Ships/images
Re: science fiction, some of Chris Foss’s spaceship designs are painted in dazzle-like patterns. He did a number of paintings of historical military vehicles (planes, mostly) so he must be aware of dazzle camouflage. Thanks for the book tip, it’s a fascinating subject.
Of possible interest for those interested in early 20th century graphics:
https://mcbcollection.com
“The dazzle fad didn’t last very long, and was of doubtful utility in any case…”
There are photos out there showing the dazzled boats in action. One looks at them and wonders what were the designers thinking. I’d dare say a dull gray ship would blend in better than a floating proto-op art paint job that clashes with (to coin a phrase) both sea and sky.