The Lyons Teashops Lithographs : Art in a Time of Austerity

13 Jul-22 Sep 2013

Overview

In the post-war years, catering giant J. Lyons & Co. commissioned three series of lithographs from some of Britain’s most popular artists – including John Piper, Edward Bawden, David Gentleman, John Minton, William Scott, Duncan Grant, John Nash and L.S. Lowry. This exhibition celebrates our collection of the complete set of 40 lithographs. The artworks were commissioned to combat a wartime decline in the interiors of the famous Lyons Teashops, compounded by a post-war lack of decorating materials. Through the company’s enterprising approach to arts patronage and interior decoration, the cream of modern British art was for the first time accessible to a wider public in Lyons Teashops across the nation. We present all three series of lithographs – commissioned between 1946-1955 – together with a selection of the original paintings and working drawings. Step back in time to experience a Great British institution at a time when great art overcame austerity.