Tom Purvis
Tom Purvis (1888-1959) was a British painter and commercial poster artist. He studied at Camberwell School of Art and worked for six years at the advertising firm of Mather and Crowther before becoming a freelance designer. Purvis is best known for his bold, graphic, two-dimensional style. He used large blocks of vivid flat colour and eliminated detail. From 1923 to 1945 Purvis worked for the LNER under the direction of Advertising Manager William Teasdale and then his successor Charles Dandridge, who both allowed him considerable freedom in his designs. During his time at the LNER Purvis produced over 100 posters which avoided depictions of the trains themselves, instead portraying the resorts that were the holiday destinations of travellers and the leisure pursuits that could be enjoyed there. As well as his work for the LNER, Purvis also designed posters for the Gentlemans’ outfitters Austin Reed and for the 1932 British Industries Fair. We look forward to the Wolfsonian’s new exhibition Art for All: British Posters for Transport which will explore the evolution of transport posters in twentieth-century Britain, showcasing some of the world’s most recognizable images produced by the London Underground and the British Railways. On view through April 14 to August 14, 2011.