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Notes
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In 1955 Robert Johnston was engaged by the Austin Motor Co. to provide a series of illustrations for a book published by the company to celebrate its golden jubilee. The illustrations were in his usual medium of watercolour. It was not Johnston’s first work for Austin, however, as he had already produced four paintings in oil for the company, of which this is one. The sheer scale of car manufacturing really comes home in this scene. Massive presses tower above the workforce, punching out body panels with tremendous force. The noise would have been oppressive and the ground would have shaken each time a press came down.
British Motor Museum
Gaydon
Title
Press Shop, Austin, Longbridge, Warwickshire
Date
1947
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 70 x W 90 cm
Accession number
1995/108/3
Acquisition method
gift, 1995
Work type
Painting
