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William Strang

4 of 11 portraits of William Strang

© estate of Malcolm Arbuthnot

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William Strang

by Malcolm Arbuthnot
platinum print, circa 1914
6 1/8 in. x 5 in. (157 mm x 126 mm) image size
Given by Marion Harry Spielmann, 1939
Photographs Collection
NPG x12826

Sitterback to top

  • William Strang (1859-1921), Painter and etcher. Sitter in 11 portraits, Artist or producer associated with 67 portraits.

Artistback to top

Linked publicationsback to top

  • 100 Photographs, 2018, p. 55 Read entry

    Malcolm Arbuthnot (1877-1967) photographed the painter and printmaker William Strang (1859-1921) in his recently established New Bond Street studio. That same year, Arbuthnot signed the Vorticist manifesto, which set out the aims of an avant-garde movement that favoured geometric forms and abstraction. The linear backdrop energises the composition and references Strang’s own draughtsmanship. When taking portraits, Arbuthnot favoured a long-focus lens and a long exposure time, which he felt enabled the sitter to settle into his or her true self. He also experimented with pigment processes, such as gum, bromoil and platinum printing, giving his images superb depth and richness.

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Events of 1914back to top

Current affairs

Following Germany's declaration of war on France and invasion of Belgium, Herbert Henry Asquith, the British Prime Minister, declares war on the German Empire on August 4, 1914. The popular belief that the conflict would be 'over by Christmas' was soon found to be a bitter underestimate of the scale of the war.

Art and science

The fist issue of the periodical Blast is published by Wyndham Lewis, announcing the advent of Vorticism. This movement, named by Ezra Pound and taking in art and poetry, combined the vitality and dynamism of Italian Futurism with the geometric structure of Cubism. Vorticism was a direct challenge to the perceived quaint and domestic style of the Bloomsbury group and Roger Fry's Omega Workshop.

International

On June 28th 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria is assassinated in Sarajevo leading to Austria's declaration of war against Serbia and triggering the First World War. Germany declared war on Serbia's ally, Russia, and then marched on France via Belgium. Soon all of Europe and most of the world was embroiled in total war.

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