John Tunnard

Ascent

About this artwork

This painting shows the influence of the artist’s wartime work as a coastguard in Cornwall. The floating shape on the right resembles a radar screen while the white point in the centre suggests a star used as a navigational aid. Tunnard has created a marbling effect by pressing paper onto the wet paint and peeling it off, a technique known as decalcomania. The resulting textured effect suggests the sea. In contrast, stencils have also been used to achieve the more precise outlines of the arches. The painting subverts our understanding of the picture space through the use of arches and planes set at disorientating angles.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
    John Tunnard (1900 - 1971) English
  • title:
    Ascent
  • date created:
    1944
  • materials:
    Oil over gesso on board
  • measurements:
    53.40 x 43.20 cm; Framed: 72.30 x 61.80 x 7.90 cm / 9.00 kg
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Bequeathed by Miss Elizabeth Watt 1989
  • accession number:
    GMA 3520
  • gallery:
  • subject:
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John Tunnard

John Tunnard