Paul Nash (1889-1946), Lithograph Poster 'Kimmeridge Folly, Dorset' 1938

Formerly in the collection of the Late Sir Rex Charembac Nan Kivell. Exhibited at the Redfern Gallery March 1978.

Nash was commissioned by Shell in 1937 to produce the Shell Guide of Dorset. He relocated for the project, and it was John Betjeman who was appointed editor of the Shell Guides suggestion that Nash paint the folly for the Landmarks campaign. Shell paid Nash fifty guineas for the painting when it was accepted in 1938. Shell Mex were one of the first commercial enterprises to use art within a marketing campaign, capitalising on the glamour and greater accesibility of motoring that opened up the countryside to a post war generation of day trippers. 

Sir Rex de Charembac Nan Kivell (8 April 1898 – 7 June 1977) was a New Zealand born British art collector, who was knighted on the recommendation of the Australian Government, in recognition of his vastly underpriced sale to the National Library of Australia of his collection of books, paintings, prints, documents, manuscripts and artefacts relating to the history of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Nan Kivel has been described as "an archetypal outsider – illegitimate, homosexual, self-educated and antipodean. 

His association with the Redfern Gallery began in the mid 1920's, and by the early 30's he'd become the managing director. Nan Kivell's influence at the gallery helped enlighten and broarden the previously conservative taste of their clientele to appreciate the rise of the modern British art movement. Engagement and support for a raft of artists including Moore, Hepworth and Sutherland. 

Dimensions

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

Condition report