Name/Title
Wallhanging: Farmer’s Arms 256 or God Speed Plough 256Description
A Country Prints production sample retained as a print record.
A wallhanging with a five-screen/six-color silkscreen print on natural linen depicting two illustrations of farmers and farm equipment with partial lyrics from the traditional English folk song “Farmer’s Arms”, also know as “God Speed the Plough” and “Long Life and Success to the Farmer”.
This composition is greatly influenced by a c.1900 English china pattern by Burgess & Leigh Pottery. The china is heavily illustrated with banners, a farm couple and farm tools; see images and web links. The upper banner on the wallhanging is nearly identical to the banner on the china, as are the stances of the farmer and his wife, the items held in their hands, and the type of plough at their feet. On the teacup back are partial lyrics to the folk song and a “Industry Produceth Wealth” banner that is nearly identical to that at the base of the wallhanging.
The composition of the artwork on the china bears a passing similarity to Wert’s own work. It is easy to see how the china pattern would have appealed to him and influenced his work.
This wallhanging is listed in the January 1960 Country Prints price list as Farmer’s Arms 256 (with a stick/string, and plastic gift box), and appears in the brochure “Mat Sets by Robert Darr Wert/Country Prints”, c.1960. On the product tag attached to this example, the name is given as God Speed Plough 256.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Robert Darr WertRole
ArtistManufacturer
Country PrintsDate made
circa 1959Time Period
20th CenturyPlace
Location
Gill MA.Continent
North AmericaInscription/Signature/Marks
“Farmer’s Arms”, “Traditional - English” and “wert by hand” with an outlined heart along lower margin.Material
Textile Ink, Wood, Glue, Cord, Unbleached LinenColors
Color
Blue, Red, Green, Dark Yellow Ochre, Black, BrownColor Notes
Brown is produced by overprinting green and red.
