1914 Roowy / Rowles Color Pochoir View of a Warship Spotlighting a Dirigible

This is a striking 1914 H.L. Roowy (Stanley Charles Rowles) pochoir view of a warship spotlighting a dirigible, issued on the cusp of World War I (1914 - 1918). The warship dominates the right foreground and a spotlight bursts from its mast towards the dirigible. A second warship appears in the shadows behind the main ship, while a wooden, masted 'man-of-war' looks upon these technological innovations from the left border. The entire scene takes place along a coastline (either on the sea or possibly a river) with the silhouette of a city skyline occupying the horizon. Beautiful colors bring this eye-catching piece to life. Although a European production, we recognize clear homage to Japanese woodblock prints in terms of color, composition, and style.

Some Historical Context

This view was issued in 1914, on the cusp of World War I, when tensions were rising throughout Europe. Both battleships and dirigibles were new military technologies never before used in warfare. Strategists argued that both would be game changers in future wars. Although dirigibles did not prove to be effective war machines, but the concept of a silent flying fortress struck fear into civilian populations. Battleships did prove effective and remain a part of modern naval warfare.

Pochoir

Pochoir is an artistic printing process used in conjunction with other mediums, such as lithography, photography, or engraving. It begins with a découpeur, who studies the original piece meant to be reproduced, analyzing the range of colors. Then, stencils are generated (between eight and fifteen for basic works and more than forty for complex compositions) from materials such as copper, aluminum, or zinc. The stencils were then passed to coloristes who applied watercolors or gouache in layers. Given the idiosyncrasies of coloristes, even down to the strength of brush strokes, no two pochoirs are identical.

Publication History and Census

This view was created by H. L. Roowy and published by Mabileau and Company in 1914. This is the only known surviving example.