Editor: Ruth Artmonsky, David Preston
Publisher: Artmonsky Arts
Publication: 2014, First Edition
Binding: Softcover, section sewn
Pages: 128
Size: 220 x 303
Text: English
Tom Purvis: Art for the Sake of Money is the first comprehensive exploration of the life and career of Tom Purvis (1888–1959), a pioneering British commercial artist who thrived during the interwar period. Trained at Camberwell School of Art and influenced by time in Paris, Purvis honed his craft at the advertising agency Mather & Crowther, where he developed a bold, minimalist style characterized by block colors and simplified forms. Proudly embracing his role as a "commercial artist," he famously quipped, "I got fun out of the money as well as out of the work," reflecting his unapologetic blend of artistry and commerce.
The volume richly illustrates Purvis's most enduring contributions, including his iconic posters for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) that captured the romance of rail travel with striking, economical compositions, and his stylish campaigns for Austin Reed, which helped define modern menswear advertising. Extending beyond posters, it covers his work in book illustrations, fabric designs, and ephemera, highlighting how his "signature style" influenced the era's visual culture.
Condition: Fine/Near Fine. Shelf ware consistent with age.
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