
Marion Adnams (1898 - 1995):
A two part design for a Nautical Mural, 1930's
Framed (ref: 10420)
Gouache on paper
12 1/10 x 15 7/10 in. (30.7 x 40 cm) (2)
See all works by Marion Adnams Pen pen and ink allegory animals Canney and Abstract Art
Provenance: The Artist's Estate
An early work, probably undertaken when at Adnams was at Derby Art college (mid 1930's), there is no record that this mural, which was clearly a sight specific decoration (space is left for a doorway on the second sheet), was ever realised. Maritime subjects inspired Adnams throughout her career, and especially France, to ports such as Honfleur to which she made several painting trips. Titles from her studio book typically refer to Fishing Gear, Sark, Drying the Nets etc.
From her earliest work, Adnams played with discrepancies of scale and the creation of unlikely narratives in a surrealist way. She recorded that ‘When I first went to see Rene Magritte at The Tate I saw him for the first time and I nearly passed out. So often the same thought had been with me".
