Exploring Shell’s remarkable archive of advertising art, this book is the first to present a comprehensive overview of the company’s artistic heritage.

Examinations of the historical, political and social contexts of Shell art and advertising enable the authors to assess the work’s broader cultural significance. By delving into the ways in which Shell’s publicity was conceived, commissioned, produced and disseminated, the particular contributions made by artists and designers including Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland, Ben Nicholson and Edward McKnight Kauffer, are highlighted, while broader questions such as Shell’s position within contemporary debates regarding the aesthetics and proper purpose of ‘Commercial Art’ are explored.

Drawing primarily on Shell’s extensive poster collection, as well as other contemporary sources, Shell Art & Advertising provides valuable insights into the development of commercial art in the UK. Featuring a wealth of fascinating images, this original publication will appeal to cultural historians, as well as fans of Modern British Art.