The Art of the Poster: the Poor Man’s Art Gallery

17 April 2024

Andrew Davies

Synopsis

Vividly-coloured posters have brightened and enriched everyday life in Britain since the middle of the nineteenth century, promoting everything from travel, food, and fashion to theatres and films – and even moral duty.  Did Your Country Need you?  Was Skegness So Bracing? Is Guinness Good for You?  Andrew explores the persuasive power of these and other images as he traces the lively history of the poster, once described as ‘the poor man’s art gallery’.

CV

Andrew Davies read law at Oxford, but he only ever wanted to learn and talk about history – which is just what he has done for the past forty-five years!  He is an extra-mural tutor, and lectures for many institutions, including the Open University, London University, the National Trust and arts societies.  Through his own company, he leads walking tours in London and New York; he is also the author of nine books and a frequent contributor to television and radio.