Rain on Princes Street
7:00 AM |
| Stanley Cursiter, Rain on Princes Street, 1913 |
By REID GUEMMER
Vorticism, a
British literary and artistic movement, was introduced to the public in the
first issue of BLAST. The literary
magazine was conducted by Wyndham Lewis with the help of Ezra Pound and many
other poets and artists. The first issue, released in 1914, ‘blessed’ or
‘blasted’ a collection of popular ideas and concepts in British culture.
Vorticism
resembles a combination of Cubism and Futurism. Although Vorticism resembles
Italian Futurism in style and method, the two movements existed in parallel
with differing doctrines. In fact, if you were to mention the resemblance to
Lewis, he would promptly deny any correlation between the two. Using an extreme
urban influence and sharp, defined, shapes to create their works, Vorticism was
Wyndham’s attempt to expose culturally isolated England to the different
artistic styles of Europe using his own twist.
Rain of Princes
Street was completed a year before Vorticism was publicly introduced, this is
evident when looking at the painting because of it’s fluid strokes and
movement. Despite the movement having not been fully developed into what it
would become in the following years, there is still an industrial feel and qualifying
it as a part of the movement.
Through the
clear of the umbrellas you see the expressionless faces. A glossy cover makes
them appear as if they are made of glass and the clear portion has been
shattered. The shattered glass represents the destruction of the economy and
general welfare of the British population that World War I. The street lighting
contributes to the idea that Rain of Princes Street seems to be foreshadowing
the war, as they resemble canons firing.
Vorticism came to an abrupt end at the beginning of World War I, and although short lived it was a pivotal moment for modern art.
Vorticism came to an abrupt end at the beginning of World War I, and although short lived it was a pivotal moment for modern art.
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