The Real and the Romantic

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The 21st century has witnessed a remarkable resurgence of interest in English art from the interwar years, with artists like Stanley Spencer and Eric Ravilious seeing their work gain significant value. This renewed focus has also highlighted previously overlooked figures, particularly women artists such as Winifred Knights and Evelyn Dunbar. Major exhibitions have drawn record audiences and prompted a reevaluation of the cultural landscape of the 1920s and 1930s. The early part of this era was characterized by intense commemoration following World War I, while the later years were marked by a darker mood as World War II loomed. The 1920s experienced the rise of modernism in British art and design, but by the mid-1930s, there was a shift towards reviving native traditions in a modern context, emphasizing place, memory, and history. Surrealism further disrupted the strictness of high modernism, tapping into British fascination with the unusual. Frances Spalding's thematic approach reveals the connections among artists, showcasing the alliances and shifts in artistic sensibility that fueled creativity during this time. Key themes included breaking down barriers within the Western tradition and exploring a 'primitive' approach to art, particularly through the lens of early Italian Renaissance studies.