Groundbreaking work from two artists who rejected conventional training in the 1890s to create cutting-edge graphic posters is on display in Beggarstaffs, the latest exhibition at The Fitzwilliam Museum. Painters William Nicholson and his brother-in-law James Pryde began working together as the Beggarstaff Brothers during the decade, inventing a technique using collage and stencilling onto huge sheets of plain brown wrapping paper.
They created some of the most memorable and innovative posters, including their celebrated Don Quixote poster for Henry Irving’s Lyceum Theatre production.
The exhibition is free and continues until 4 August, illustrating how the Beggarstaffs’ shared love of striking subject matter worked on their different temperaments to inspire two remarkable careers. Both went on to be acclaimed as leading modern British painters in the early 20th century.