Leonard Rosoman

Shell Guide to Midlothian

Original poster

c. 1960s 76x51cm

Shell commissioned a series of posters to go with their County Guide books, and they commissioned paintings by the leading artists of the day.

Born in London, Rosoman studied at the Royal Academy Schools and then the Central School. His first major commission was to illustrate the popular children’s book ‘My Friend Mr Leakey’ in 1937. Joining the Auxiliary Fire Service during World War II, he painted many scenes from the Blitz, some of which are in the Imperial War Museum collection. Seconded to the War Office in 1943 to illustrate books on fire-fighting the War Artists’ Advisory Committee gave him a full-time post with the British Pacific Fleet, sailing with HMS Formidable the aircraft carrier.

After the war he taught at Camberwell College of Art. He painted a mural for the Festival of Britain in 1951, murals for the British Pavilion at the 1958 Brussels International Exhibition, and for the restaurant at the Royal Academy’s Burlington House – becoming RA in 1969.

Condition: mounted in conservation mount and wrapped in plastic sleeve (mount hides short edge tears).