The communist fastness. (1950)

Dated 1950, "The communist fastness." is an artwork by Richard Edes Harrison. Context for 1950: After 1945 the centre of Western art activity shifted to New York, where Abstract Expressionism was followed by Pop art, Minimalism, and Conceptual art. The range of materials widened to include acrylic paint, screen printing, and mixed media. Illustration in brief: Illustration serves a text or a story, a tradition that runs from decorated medieval manuscripts to printed book plates, magazines, and posters. Printing methods such as woodcut, engraving, lithography, and photomechanical reproduction each shaped how illustrators worked. The catalogue places it in Illustration. The format is landscape.

Everything for "The communist fastness." arrives digitally: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI. Once payment is confirmed, an email brings the download link, and from there you decide how to print it, whether at home, at a print shop, or through an online service. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Matching the frame to the image proportions avoids cropping. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks.

American, 1901-1994

If you like the visual language of Richard Edes Harrison, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.