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James Boswell, 1953. Creator: Shirley Markham
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James Boswell, 1953. Creator: Shirley Markham
James Boswell, 1953. Illustration to James Boswells " Diary", published in an evening newspaper in serial form. 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
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Media ID 18266065
© Shirley Markham Collection / Heritage-Images
1950s Boswell Diarist Fifties James Boswell Markham Shirley Shirley Jane Shirley Jane Markham Shirley Markham Shirley Waite Waite Wash
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This print of James Boswell, taken in 1953 by Shirley Markham, offers a glimpse into the world of one of history's most renowned diarists. The image was originally created as an illustration for Boswell's "Diary" which was published in serial form in an evening newspaper. Shirley Markham, a talented artist and illustrator, studied Graphic Design and Illustration at London's Central School of Art from 1950 to 1952. Under the guidance of Mervyn Peake and other influential British illustrators like Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake, and Edward Bawden, her unique style took shape. Her travels to Italy allowed her to sketch classical buildings in Rome and the Dolomite Mountains. Despite her promising career as a graphic designer producing book illustrations, cartoons for comics, menus, and programs after graduating from Central School of Art, societal expectations prevailed when she married in 1957. Middle-class women during that era were often expected to focus on raising children and managing household responsibilities rather than pursuing their professional ambitions. Sadly, Markham lacked the confidence to return to illustration despite her evident talent. For many years following her marriage, her portfolio remained hidden away in the family attic until now when it is finally being shared with the public for the first time. Through this remarkable print capturing James Boswell's essence alongside Shirley Markham's artistic journey cut short by societal norms; we are reminded not only of Boswell's literary legacy but also of how gender roles have shaped countless lives throughout history.
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