Torr Antiques & Decorative Arts

Description

A large Robert Tavener lithograph of a London City church from the ‘City Series', numbered 12 out of an edition of 50, signed in pencil by the artist, circa 1970s.

Though untitled it depicts St Mary Le Bow Church on Cheapside in the City of London. The church was founded in 1080, by Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury and rebuilt several times over the ensuing centuries, the present church being the work of Sir Christopher Wren, following the Great Fire of London (1666). The church suffered severe damage by the Luftwaffe in the Second World War as part of the Blitz, like many churches in London. The interior was reduced to a shell and though the tower survived, fire damage made the bells crash to the floor. The church was sympathetically restored to its pre-war condition by Laurence King from 1956 to 1964.

Dimensions: 62 x 44 cm

Condition: Excellent. Stored flat and has never been displayed.

Biography: Robert Tavener, illustrator and printmaker, was born in London. After 6 years war service he attended Hornsey College of Art (1946-1950). He was head of Printmaking at Eastbourne College of Art and Design from 1953, later to become vice principal until he retired in 1980. He also taught at St Martins School of Art for one day a week. He did much illustration work as well as commissions for organisations such as Shell, the BBC, and London Transport. He was a senior fellow of the Royal Society of Painter/Printmakers. His work is held in over 25 public collections including the V+A and the Government Art Collection.

Postage & packing: £8 within the UK.