I have my friend from across the Atlantic to thank for this one. Having a mutual love of all things Paul Hogarth he suggested this fine artist as an addition to my collection. How right he was!
This is now one of six of his books I have in my collection, all large format with this edition first published in 1985, David Gentleman’s Britain from 1982, David Gentleman’s Coastline (1988), David Gentleman’s Paris (1991) David Gentleman’s India (1994) and David Gentleman’s Italy (1997)
Each is a brilliant pictorial journal of everyday Britain, its landscape, major landmarks and for me, most especially, his capture of ‘normal’ life. Like Hogarth, he combined pen and watercolours in his illustrations. But unlike Hogarth he produced pieces which were often very detailed and complex. No scene seemed beyond his reach which for me, makes his more simple sketches all the more appealing in his confidence to use any style of his choosing.
This book solely on the English capital is a rich mixture of the old and the new which, in the 1980s was still able to coexist to a large extent but change was afoot and Gentleman managed to capture a city in the early stages of real change. For any urban artist London is rich pickings, from its tranquil parks with huge ancient trees to canals, skyscrapers and Victorian houses there are so many opportunities and Gentleman didn’t seem to miss any.
But this is far more than a book of illustrations, Gentleman gives his own perspective on each party of the city he paints with an admirable honesty. His knowledge of London’s history is clear, he gives insight into how areas came to be redeveloped and the effects that had on those living there. Any city which has undergone the transformation that London has over many decades will leave a trail of social change and upheaval in its wake and what I love about this book and the era it was published in is its capture of London in transition.
See also:
Categories: British History and Folklore, The Reading Room
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