Artwork
Britannia Square
Britannia Square is a print by Neil Pittaway. It dates from 1998 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Britannia Square is a print by English artist Neil Pittaway, characterized by a distinctive blend of gothic revival architecture, urban landscapes, satire, and narrative illustration.
Subject & Meaning
The work critiques urbanity through a complex, agoraphobic depiction of buildings, blending satire with architectural elements, invoking a sense of overwhelming urban experience.
Technique & Style
Pittaway's technique weaves together influences from 19th-century satirists (Gillray, Cruikshank) with the monumental perspectives of Piranesi and the impossible spaces of M.C. Escher, creating a unique, visually dense print.
Context
Britannia Square reflects and comments on the visual and cultural heritage of London, echoing historical architectural and artistic values in a contemporary satirical context.
Artist & collection
Artist
Neil Pittaway made prints that focus on city scenes. In Britannia Square (1998), he captured a quiet corner of Birmingham’s historic square, using lines to show old buildings and shadows. His work fits into no specific…
