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I took him by the left leg and threw him down the stairs, 1952. Creator: Shirley Markham
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I took him by the left leg and threw him down the stairs, 1952. Creator: Shirley Markham
I took him by the left leg and threw him down the stairs, 1952. Illustration to childrens nursery rhyme " Goosey, goosey gander" :There I met an old man Who wouldn t say his prayers, So I took him by his left leg And threw him down the stairs. 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 18265853
© Shirley Markham Collection / Heritage-Images
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This print captures a moment from Shirley Markham's illustration to the children's nursery rhyme "Goosey, goosey gander". Titled "I took him by the left leg and threw him down the stairs, 1952" it depicts an old man who refused to say his prayers being tossed down a flight of stairs. Shirley Markham was a talented artist who studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central School of Art in London during the early 1950s. Under the guidance of renowned writer, artist, poet, and illustrator Mervyn Peake, she developed her unique style influenced by British illustrators like Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake, and Edward Bawden. Her travels to Italy also inspired her work as she sketched classical buildings in Rome and spent time in 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; Markham made the difficult decision to give up her profession when she got married in 1957. At that time society expected middle-class women to focus on raising children and managing household duties. For many years Markham's portfolio remained hidden away in her family's attic until now. This print showcases her incredible talent for illustration which is being published here for the first time. It serves as a reminder of both Markham's artistic prowess and sheds light on societal expectations placed upon women during that era.
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