The comforter (1898)

"The comforter" (1898) is a work by Byam Shaw. Background on Religion: Buddhist painting, Hindu devotional imagery, and Islamic calligraphy and ornament each have conventions of their own. Christian art follows long-established iconography, such as the Madonna and Child, the Annunciation, and the Crucifixion. About the period around 1898: The later nineteenth century is the era of Impressionism, whose first group exhibition was held in Paris in 1874, followed by Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, and the Arts and Crafts movement. Japanese prints reached Europe in large numbers and influenced many artists, while photography changed what painting needed to do. The catalogue places it in Religion. The format is landscape.

"The comforter" 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. 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. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing.

English, 1872–1919

If you like the visual language of Byam Shaw, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.