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Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)

The artist working on a study for Rockefeller Murals

SKU: 9646
Photo
8 x 10 1/4 in. (20.3 x 26 cm)
Presentation:
folio

Size:
Height – 20.3cm x Width – 26cm

DESCRIPTION

Provenance:
Edgar Peacock

In 1932, Brangwyn was commissioned by J. D. Rockefeller Jr. (1874-1960) to produce four large murals for the RCA building, the centrepiece of the Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan, New York. These are still in situ in the entrance hall, decorating the area of the south corridor elevator shafts, each measuring 17 x 25ft. 

J. D. Rockefeller Jr. had originally approached Pablo Picasso (1881‚Äì1973) and Henri Matisse (1869‚Äì1964), but both artists turned the commission down. 
Brangwyn, Josep Maria Sert i Badia (1874‚Äì1945) and Diego Rivera (1886‚Äì1957) were subsequently appointed to carry out the scheme. The three artists were briefed to work on canvas, (of which no more than 75% was to be covered), to paint en grisaille and to include some lettering in their designs. The broad subject matter of the murals was ‘New Frontiers’, encompassing aspects of a modern society, including science, labor, education, travel, finance and spirituality. 
Brangwyn was assigned four themes expressing man’s search for eternal truth: Man Laboring; Man the Creator; Man the Master; Man’s Ultimate Destiny. 


In May 1933, the murals made headline news when a public dispute arose between Rockefeller and Rivera; Rivera had included a portrait of Lenin on one of his canvases, and it was subsequently destroyed. In September 1933, Brangwyn also faced controversy when objections were made to his inclusion of Christ in a scene representing the Sermon on the Mount. To solve the dispute, Brangwyn discreetly reversed his figure ‚Äì as seen in the image below. The irony that Christ had turned his back on Rockefeller was not lost on some observers. 


Finding his studio in Ditchling too small to accommodate the murals, Brangwyn was granted permission to use one of the rooms in the Brighton Pavillion to carry out his work. He never saw his paintings in situ. 



Brangwyn’s Rockefeller murals are similar in spirit to many of the works produced for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) scheme. Brangwyn’s murals also bare comparison to the Soviet realist aesthetic of the period, in which workingmen and women were celebrated in patriotic images. 





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THE ARTIST

Frank Brangwyn
Frank
Brangwyn
1867 - 1956

Frank Brangwyn was born in Bruges, Belgium, the son of an English father and Welsh mother. The family returned to London in 1874, Brangwyn’s father gaining work as a designer of buildings, embroideries and furniture. Although Brangwyn appears to have had little formal education, whether academic or artistic, his earliest mentors were three of the most influential men in design at the turn of the century: Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo, William Morris and Siegfried Bing. Between 1884 and 1887 Brangwyn travelled to Kent, Cornwall and Devon, before venturing further with trips to Turkey in 1888, South Africa in 1891, Spain in 1892 and Morocco in 1893.

Brangwyn was an independent artist, an experimenter and innovator, capable of working on both large and small scale projects, ranging from murals, oil paintings, watercolours, etchings, woodcuts and lithographs to designs for architecture, interiors, stained glass, furniture, carpets, ceramics and jewellery, as well as book illustrations, bookplates and commercial posters. It is estimated that he produced over 12,000 works during his lifetime. Mural commissions included the Worshipful Company of Skinners, London (1902-09), St Aidan’s church, Leeds (1908-16), Manitoba Legislative Building, Winnipeg, Canada (1918-21), Christ’s Hospital, Horsham (1912-23), State Capitol, Jefferson City, USA (1915-25), the British Empire panels, Swansea (1925-32), and Rockefeller Center, New York (1930-34). Brangwyn married Lucy Ray in 1896 and took on the lease of Temple Lodge, Hammersmith, in 1900. In 1918 the artist purchased The Jointure, Ditchling, where he spent most of his time following his wife’s death in 1924. Elected RA in 1919, knighted in 1924, holder of countless artistic awards, Brangwyn was modest about his singular achievements, regarding art as an occupation and describing himself as a designer.

MORE PICTURES BY ARTIST

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
London Bridge

£450.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Exposition Brangwyn Bruges, 1936

£1,300.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
At the Circus

£1,200.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Dutch Exhibition

£575.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Study of tile designs

£575.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Exposition Frank Brangwyn (v1716)

£975.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Hexagonal Flower

£575.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Study of Chef

£1,200.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Study of Germans in Belgium

£2,500.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam Text Page (v4176), c.1919

£775.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Fruit Basket (British Empire Panels)

£675.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Tile Design

£675.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Old Green House, c.1890

£1,500.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Artur Wolf Gourd (b2678), c.1920

£700.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Design for a frieze

£575.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Artur Wolf Leaves (b2677)

£475.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Beer Porters, Study for Lloyds Register of Shipping, circa 1910

£15,000.00

Forthcoming
Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Seaside Sketch, 1924
Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Book plate for Brangwyn’s Wife, Lucy

£775.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Parrot – Original Study for the Great Empire Panels

£975.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Study, a Musician for Skinners Hall, circa 1902

£9,500.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Bricklayers, a study for Rebuilding Belgium, 1915

£9,500.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Sketchbook, 1892

£2,250.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Sheet of plate designs, circa 1930

£2,500.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
L’Ombre de la Croix – Book 2, page 227, 1931

£170.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
L’Ombre de la Croix – Book 2, page 221, 1931

£230.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Mask 1, 1919 (V-2931) v2

£350.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
The Body of King Edward Being ** of Paddington

£800.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
The funeral in Venice

£375.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Portrait of Count Albert de Belleroche, 1920
Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Study of Women (study for O1586) , 1890-1896,

£215.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Men with Hatchets, circa 1914

£215.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Sketch for Melon Stall, 1922

£210.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Two Beggars (study for M1139), 1901-1909

£215.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Man Playing Harmonium (study for M1109), 1912-1923

£600.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Verger (D1567) , 1923, sanguine study

£325.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
The Statue (study for V1569), 1919

£260.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Two Old Beggars (D 1596) 1924

£285.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Study of Men Carrying Oil Jars (D1590), circa 1923

£200.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Knight (study for M1142)

£175.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Man with Nude Torso holds Sledgehammer (study for M2341) circa 1909

£185.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
On the Terrace at La Popie

£175.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Santa Maria della salute, 1906

£975.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Bear Leaders

£375.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Sheet of Coffeepot and Jug Designs, 1930

£2,500.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Muezzin

£225.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Death of St Milburga, 722AD, 1934

£350.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Jesus Falls Below the Cross, 1916

£500.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Blacksmith, 1919 (V-2898)

£250.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Head of Christ I, 1935

£750.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Head of Christ II, 1935

£800.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Head of Christ III, 1935

£900.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
An Allegorical Figure of a Potter, 1901

£800.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Mask 1, 1919 (V-2931)

£250.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Bridge at Sospel – 1932

£300.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Coal Heavers, 1920 (V-3588)

£400.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Book Plate – Vine Leaves (X 3607)

£360.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Bookplate – Vine leaves (X 3607)

£325.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Mask 2, 1919 (V-2930)

£600.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Mask 3, 1919 (V-2931)

£425.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Haunt of Tramps, 1913 (X-0626)

£350.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Funeral Procession (V-3601)

£300.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Carpenter with Family (V-3589)

£300.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
The Meat Market, 1904 (V-2927

£600.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
The Woodcutter (V-1487)

£500.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Bequinage, Dixmude, 1909 (V-2226)

£300.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Masks 5, 6 & 7, c 1919 (V-2936)

£650.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Gypsies Round a Caravan, 1910 (V-3597)

£250.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Gargoyle (V-3602)

£420.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
The Mowers, 1912 (V-1485)

£300.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
The Forest (V-3574)

£325.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Sister Ursula, Bruges, 1919 (V-1475)

£300.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Sunset, 1913 (V-1520)

£350.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
The Printers, 1919 (V-1474)

£575.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
The Sun Shines in the Forest (V-3573)

£300.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Shearing Sheep, 1919

£250.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Shipbuilding, 1912 (V-3572)

£425.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Death (V-3598)

£300.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Picking Fruit, 1920 (Q-3591)

£375.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Study for central panel of Nativity window, St Mary the Virgin, Bucklebury, Berkshire, early 1920’s

£9,750.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Study of Man Carrying Rifle, Study for Jefferson City

£1,490.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Study of a Monk, full length three-quarter view, Study for St Aidan

£3,140.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Figure study, Study for St Aidan

£1,600.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Portrait of Jerome Esser?

£3,740.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
A Trader, Study for Selfridges

£1,980.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Study of Figure with Vessel, study for Venice Biennale 1905

£3,300.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Studies of a Kneeling and Seated Man

£1,600.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Allegory of War and Industry

£1,490.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Man Carrying Child on His Back

£2,040.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Loot, working proof

£2,200.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Preparatory sketch, figures on a beach, circa 1920

£400.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Profile of a Man’s Head (V-3584)

£325.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
The Story (P-3362)

£360.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Bridge Builders, 1913 (V-2928)

£220.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Cross, c 1919

£290.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Spanish Church, c. 1927 (P-2881)

£410.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Blast Furnace, c 1911 (P-1493)

£380.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Hunter with Dog (V-3592)

£240.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Two Seated Men (V-3595) , circa 1910

£280.00

Frank Brangwyn (1867 - 1956)
Rebuilding near St. Pauls (P-2787)

£425.00