Exploring Shell's remarkable archive of advertising art, this book is the first to present a comprehensive overview of the company's artistic heritage. Examinations of the historical, political and social contexts of Shell art and advertising enable the authors to assess the work's broader cultural significance. By delving into the ways in which Shell's publicity was conceived, commissioned, produced and disseminated, the particular contributions made by artists and designers including Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland, Ben Nicholson and Edward McKnight Kauffer, are highlighted, while broader questions such as Shell's position within contemporary debates regarding the aesthetics and proper purpose of 'Commercial Art' are explored. Drawing primarily on Shell's extensive poster collection, as well as other contemporary sources, Shell Art & Advertising provides valuable insights into the development of commercial art in the UK. Featuring a wealth of fascinating images, this original publication will appeal to cultural historians, as well as fans of Modern British Art.

Even in the digital age, the printed poster retains an important, much-loved role in connecting with audiences in a way that both entertains and informs. The V&A was one of the first museums to start collecting posters and to recognize the importance of doing so. Far from ephemeral, posters are both a representation of the time in which they were produced and distributed and, in many instances, have shaped the societies in which they were seen. The story of the poster is both one of changing styles and new innovations in design, illustration and printing, and a visually compelling social history. The Poster brings together over 300 examples that tell a comprehensive visual history of poster design and the various ways the poster has been used to tell, to sell, to charm and to spur on change. Organized into seven thematic chapters that tell the story of the poster as a medium, each poster is accompanied by a concise commentary that explains the work in terms of its design, printing, content, message and the commercial, social or political impact it may have had. Featuring works by the masters of poster design that have become popular and highly collectible classics, charting the ebb and flow of styles such as Art Nouveau, Modernism, Art Deco, Psychedelia and Punk and featuring the nostalgic glow of muchloved brands as well as posters that shook and changed the world, The Poster will be an essential visual resource for graphic designers and illustrators - a reference for anyone with an interest in collecting posters and an engaging design and social history for all who appreciate this most popular of art forms.