Peter Blake, Venice Suite: Single Sculls, 2009

'Single Sculls' - A limited edition silkscreen print by Sir Peter Blake from the boxed portfolio set 'The Venice Suite', signed and numbered by the artist.

'Single Sculls' shows two men skulling down the grand canal. There is also a whaling boat in the foreground and a crowd standing on the tow-path. Behind the rowers there are several figures in Edwardian swimwear that appear to be floating precariously on small planks of wood.

The Venice Suite was inspired by Blake's trip to Venice for the Biennale of 2007. Each piece in the portfolio is a jewel of his trademark collage style. Blake combines traditional images of the city on the lagoon with visual excerpts from vintage childrens' books, photographs, postcards, as well as details from works of the old masters. This visual witticism is teamed with a palette of turquoise, gold and the grey of the stones of Venice to create a surreal fairytale vision of the city. Blake juxtaposes the baroque grandeur of the architectural icons of Venice with giant penguins, wartime bombers, Edwardian rowers and icebergs to name a few. The end result is a portfolio of works that are playful, imaginative, beautiful, immensely varied and representative of Sir Peter Blake's unique vision.

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Peter Blake