Francis Marshall

This book opens up an exciting and extensive archive of fashion illustration by Francis Marshall, held at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Marshall’s career coincided with the golden age of fashion illustration and hand-drawn commercial art from the 1930s to the 1950s. For much of the 20th century, he was one of Britain’s most prolific and highly regarded fashion illustrators, yet today his work remains relatively unknown. Unlike his gregarious contemporary Cecil Beaton, Marshall was a retiring character, not interested in pushing his personal profile. His work is characterised by careful observation, verve and wit - he has been celebrated as a ‘master of line’, always at his best when drawing from life.