Invention of the Printing Press, Vivian Forbes, Oil on Canvas, 128x128 cms.

This painting by Vivian Forbes represents William Caxton who was an English merchant, writer and printer, at his press in Westminster Hall. Caxton introduced the printing press to England in 1476. Forbes has avoided portraying Caxton in his likeness as there was no authentic portrait of him for reference. Draped in a thick chrome yellow robe, Caxton stands in a posture of ease with his left leg in folded fashion atop a wooden stool. With his face turned in profile, he is seen examining a print, held in his hands. A crude printing press acts as another protagonist in this composition. Caxton’s headgear is tied in an informal fashion showing his approach towards dressing. A thick green curtain separates the room, giving a glimpse of another room towards left with an arched division. Intelligent play of light and shade affirms the artistic merit of Forbes. Intended to be titled as “Caxton and his Printing Press”, it was renamed as “The invention of the Printing Press” as there was no evidence of Westminster in the background. Born in 1891 in London, Vivian Forbes was an English soldier and painter. His subjects of painting were portraits and historical subjects. He studied at Haileybury and later at Paris. He was elected to the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers in 1925. He died in 1937.

Portfolio Name: Select Paintings of Rashtrapati Bhavan
Source: Lalit Kala Akademi