Cuneo Tay Bridge

Artist: Terence Cuneo
Format: UK Travel Poster (40"x 50")
Condition: Excellent
Year: 1957

Description

Although the majority of fiskenposter.com is dedicated to cinema posters, here we present an example of another form of collectable memorabilia, the travel poster. The travel poster market generally focuses on posters made from the 1920s through to the 1950s and represents an important form of advertising in the pre-modern age. Earlier examples were used to promote forms of travel such as the railway while, with the advent of airplane use, travel posters began to advertise far-away international destinations.

Like cinema posters, 20th century travel posters were based on painted designs which allowed artists the opportunity to exercise their artistic talent and commercial nous. As evidenced in this design by English painter Terence Cuneo (1907-1996), train companies would commission renowned and top-class artists to produce fluid, detailed and picturesque artwork to advertise their product.

During WWII, Cuneo worked as a sapper and was also used to paint aircraft factories. Eventually his talent was recognised and Cuneo illustrated wartime scenes etc for the War Artists’ Advisory Committee. Following the war Cuneo found work illustrating railways, bridges and locomotives before being appointed as the official artist for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 which gained him and his work worldwide attention. Cuneo's talent and passion for engineering subjects is noticeably displayed by this poster dating from 1957, designed to promote rail travel to and within Scotland. Combining exquisite artwork of both the rigid, impressive and efficient railway system as well as the scenic and beautiful Scottish landscape, it is no wonder why this poster has become such a collectable entry in the travel poster cannon.

 

For the purpose of comparison, we show 2 further Cuneo pieces: another engineering subject, this being a poster dating from 1949 and a Cuneo original oil painting of the "Trooping of the Colour" , which sold for £43,250 via Christie's in 2012 (both images courtesy of christies.com)

 

The Tay Bridge poster has been linen-backed.