BEGGARSTAFF BROTHERS (JAMES PRYDE, 1869-1941 & WILLIAM NICHOLSON, 1872-1949) THE BLACK AND WHITE GALLERY / LOUIS MEYER. Circa 1899. 19x26 1/4 inches, 48x66 1/2 cm. Condition A. The Beggarstaff Brothers were pioneers in the world of graphic art and instrumental in affecting poster design at the turn of the century, formulating the direction of graphic design and illustration throughout the 1920s and 30s. They worked together for five years (1894-1899), masterfully employing the art of silhouette, via cut-outs and solid planes of color. In spite of the artistic and historical importance of their work, their careers were not easy and they constantly struggled with their clients. As a result, their production was very limited and the survival rate of their work even less! In addition to creating posters, the Beggarstaffs also designed street signs for merchants. "In 1897 or 1898 the Beggarstaffs painted an attractive sign board for the Black and White Gallery, a [print] shop in Piccadilly founded by Louis Meyer in the Summer of 1897 . . . the Beggarstaff's original sign for the establishment no longer exists, but a collotype facsimile was made at a relatively early date, presumably at the instigation of the proprietor" (Beggarstaff p. 78). Beggarstaff p. 80, Modern Poster p. 52.
