Clifford Hooper Rowe

The Old House

59 x 120 cm

Framed: 66.5 x 127 cm

Clifford Rowe (1904–1989)
House and Lily Pond
Oil on canvas, signed.
A striking modernist landscape by the British artist Clifford Rowe, depicting a substantial country house reflected in a lily pond beneath a dramatic sky. Executed in Rowe’s characteristic flattened planes and strongly structured forms, the composition balances architectural solidity with lyrical reflections and stylised trees. The restrained palette of greys, greens and muted earth tones lends the work a contemplative atmosphere, while the bold treatment of shape and line reveals the influence of mid-20th century British social and landscape painting.
Rowe was associated with socially engaged British art of the interwar and post-war period and exhibited widely throughout his career. This example demonstrates his ability to combine decorative composition with a strong sense of place and mood. Presented in a gilt frame.

One of two by Cliff Rowe in the hotel. This one I bought this year. It's nice to have 2 examples of artists that you admire. (The second one is currently on the staircase wall going down from room 14). I love this early 20th Century style of oil. If anyone can enlighten me on the actual house that would be great

About the artist

Clifford Hooper Rowe

British

1904-1989

Clifford Hooper Rowe (1904–1989) was a British artist and illustrator renowned for his socially conscious artwork that often depicted industrial and working-class themes. Born in Wimbledon, South London, Rowe pursued his artistic education at Wimbledon School of Art (1918–1920) and the Royal College of Art (1920–1922).
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Artistic Career and Political Engagement

In the late 1920s, Rowe's work designing posters for a left-wing bookshop led to his introduction to the Communist Manifesto, profoundly influencing his political views. This ideological shift prompted a significant period in his life; in 1930, he traveled to the Soviet Union, where he spent 18 months working at the Foreign Workers' Publishing House. This experience deepened his commitment to socialist principles and reinforced his belief in art as a vehicle for social change.
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Upon returning to Britain, Rowe co-founded the Artists' International Association (AIA) in 1933 alongside artists such as Pearl Binder, Misha Black, James Fitton, James Boswell, James Holland, and Edward Ardizzone. The AIA aimed to unify artists in opposition to imperialist wars, fascism, and colonial oppression, advocating for peace, democracy, and cultural development. The association engaged in designing propaganda materials and sought to improve working conditions for artists, emphasizing the role of art in societal progress.
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Artistic Style and Legacy

Rowe's artistic oeuvre is characterized by a focus on industrial scenes and the daily lives of working people, reflecting his socialist ideals. Initially influenced by Socialist Realism, his style evolved over the decades, becoming more abstract in the 1960s while maintaining a consistent emphasis on labor and industry. Notable works include "The Fried Fish Shop" (1936), which captures everyday urban life, and "Woman Looking Through a Microscope," highlighting the role of women in scientific fields.
ARTUK.ORG

Throughout his career, Rowe also contributed illustrations and designs for various publications, including those of the Communist Party of Great Britain, to which he remained affiliated throughout his life. His commitment to creating socially relevant art has left a lasting impact, with many of his works held in public collections, notably at The People's History Museum.
PHM.ORG.UK

Cliff Rowe's legacy endures as a testament to the power of art in advocating for social justice and reflecting the experiences of the working class.

As well as his painting output, Rowe produced dust jacket designs and illustrations for books, he did promotional commissions for the Attlee Labour government, designs for the 1951 Festival of Britain, commercial work for trade unions, and a number of illustrations for political publications. The majority of Rowe’s work is in The People’s History Museum collections.