Arthur Wragg (1903– 1976) 

Arthur Wragg trained at Sheffield School of Art before becoming a freelance commercial artist. In the 1920s, Arthur Wragg primarily contributed to women’s magazines but later expanded his work to include book jackets and contributions to left-wing newspapers like Tribune and Peace News, where he also created cartoons. Additionally, he illustrated books and pamphlets focused on Christian socialism, pacifism, and social justice. Wragg was an artist who directly responded to the poverty and hardship of the "Great Slump." He took a strong stance, producing remarkable and influential work that reflected the struggles of the time. His bold, poster-like artwork often explored themes of social alienation and spiritual emptiness. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Wragg focused on publication art, rather than traditional fine art mediums like paintings or print series. As a socialist and pacifist, he wanted his art to reach ordinary people, rather than art lovers. His striking, polemical style left a significant impact on other popular forms in the 1940s and 1950s, including government information posters and advertising.

I have acquired a collection of works by Arthur Wragg (1903-1976) and Frederick Roberts Johnson (1900-1986) from a studio sale featuring pieces by both artists. The two friends met while training as commercial artists and moved to Polperro together in 1924, where they settled at "The House on the Props". Frederick Roberts Johnson frequently travelled to London in search of commissions for both himself and Wragg. This listing is for 5 papers, as detailed below.

5 x pencil sketches on thin wove paper. Unsigned. Reasonable / used condition, with age toning, light handling/creases, graphite smudges, a few foxing spots and other minor marks / blemishes.

Papers measure 20cm x 25cm to 29cm x 43.5cm.