Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Towns > Shirley
Cafe interior, London, c1950. Creator: Shirley Markham
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Heritage Images
Cafe interior, London, c1950. Creator: Shirley Markham
Cafe interior, London, c1950. 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
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 18265787
© Shirley Markham Collection / Heritage-Images
1950s Cafe Cake Cakes Clock Fifties Markham Mirror Retro Shirley Shirley Jane Shirley Jane Markham Shirley Markham Shirley Waite Waite Waitress
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Arts
> Artists
> Related Images
> Europe
> Italy
> Heritage Sites
> The Dolomites
> Europe
> Italy
> Lazio
> Rome
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Towns
> Shirley
> Heritage Images
> 1950s Retro
> Popular Themes
> Poets
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the essence of a cafe interior in London during the 1950s. The talented creator behind this masterpiece is Shirley Markham, a remarkable artist who studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central School of Art in London from 1950-1952. Under the guidance of renowned writer, artist, poet, and illustrator Mervyn Peake, Markham honed her skills and developed a unique style influenced by British illustrators such as Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake, and Edward Bawden. Markham's artistic journey took her beyond London's borders to the picturesque Dolomite Mountains in Italy and even to Rome where she sketched classical buildings. After graduating from Central School of Art, she embarked on an impressive career as a graphic designer producing book illustrations, comics cartoons, menus, and programmes. However promising her career may have been, societal expectations prevailed when Markham married in 1957. Middle-class women were expected to focus their energies on raising children and managing households during that era. Regrettably lacking confidence to return to illustration despite her undeniable talent; Markham set aside her dreams. For many years after marriage life claimed its space; Shirley's portfolio remained hidden away in the family attic until now. Today we are fortunate enough to witness these previously unseen works published for the first time - a testament not only to Markham's skill but also an acknowledgment of the barriers faced by women artists during that period.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
