Chatterboxes (1886)

"Chatterboxes" (1886) is a work by Philip Wilson Steer. The catalogue places it in Figurative. The format is landscape. Figurative, a short history: Figurative art depicts people and recognisable scenes, and it has been central to European painting since antiquity. Portraits, group scenes, studies of the nude, and pictures of daily life all belong to figurative art. Context for 1886: Japanese prints reached Europe in large numbers and influenced many artists, while photography changed what painting needed to do. In the 1890s, colour lithography and Art Nouveau made the illustrated poster a celebrated art form.

"Chatterboxes" is offered as a printable file (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI) rather than a shipped item. You receive the files by email after payment and handle printing yourself, which gives you full control over paper, size, and finish. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Figurative works draw attention to the human presence, the gesture, and the emotional tone, so they work particularly well as a standalone focal point in living rooms, studies, and bedrooms. Measuring the wall before choosing a size is the simplest way to avoid a print that feels too small or too large. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour.

English, 1860–1942

If you like the visual language of Philip Wilson Steer, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.