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Size:
Height – 30cm
Width – 21cm
Literature: Llewellyn, Sacha, and Paul Liss. Portrait of an Artist. Liss Llewellyn, 2021, p.191.
Exhibited: Brangwyn’s Cartoons at Christ’s Hospital, Christ’s Hospital Museum (23rd April 2019 – 27th April 2020)
This etching depicts Sir Frank Brangwyn, fellow artist and mentor, at work, holding a paintbrush. Brangwyn stands alone as one of the most important figures in 20th century British Art, Elected RA in 1919, knighted in 1924 and holder of countless artistic awards. It wasn’t until 1909 that Frank Brangwyn encouraged Simpson to do his first Etching. Working mostly on poster designs and oils in his spare time, it wasn’t until 1926, one year after this etching of Frank Brangwyn, that Simpson has his first exhibition in Glasgow.
Painter, illustrator and printmaker who was born and educated in Carlisle and who studied at the Glasgow School of Art, before moving to London in 1905.
He in initially designed posters and was soon befriended and encouraged by Frank Brangwyn.
Simpson exhibited at the Baillie Gallery, Brook Street Art Gallery, Fitzwilliam Museum, GI, ISSPG, Walker Art Gallery, Leicester Galleries, London Salon, RBA who elected him a member in 1908, RSA and RSW.
He was an Official War Artist with the RAF in World War I.
Works by Simpson are in the collections of the Ashmolean Museum, Hunterian, IWM, Scottish National Portrait Gallery and Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery.
Bibliography:
The Etched Work of Joseph Simpson by H. Granville Fell. Published by J.M. Dent and Sons, London, 1932
With thanks to artbiogs.co.uk
