Comments on: Cyril Mann, Artist

By: Howard Dewhirst

Howard Dewhirst — Sun, 18 May 2014 18:55:42 +0000

I have seen quite a few of Cyril’s later paintings, indeed one of them hung in the Student’s Union office at Keele Uni when I was there – but since vanished who knows where. These earlier pictures are fascinating, in some of the oils in particular, the light seems to occupy the paintings as a living entity, as if it were separate from the painted representations of sun and lamp, and is tangible, moving around buildings and shadows almost like the air on a windy day. It is terrific that they are available for many more people to see than he could ever have imagined; thanks in a large part to Renske.

By: Phyllis Oberman

Phyllis Oberman — Tue, 13 May 2014 17:32:03 +0000

These wonderful pictures remind me of my time aged 17 as a rookie reporter working near Ludgate Circus. The big bomb site on the corner of Ludgate Circus and Ludgate Hill was massive and inhabited by hordes of feral cats. The city had still to start recovering from the pounding it got. Thank you for showing so many of Cyril Mann’s pictures from this period. Warm wishes to Renske

By: Phil

Phil — Sat, 10 May 2014 18:37:15 +0000

A revelation. I’d never come across this artist before. Incredibly atmospheric paintings of a now lost world and time. Shades of Edward Hopper as well.
Thank you so much for posting this.

By: Serena Quartermaine

Serena Quartermaine — Fri, 09 May 2014 15:24:56 +0000

Radiantly beautiful paintings of what many would see as depressing and sad townscapes – but I would love to have them on my walls.

By: Milo Bell

Milo Bell — Wed, 07 May 2014 09:40:38 +0000

Wonderful. Nuff said.

By: aubrey

aubrey — Tue, 06 May 2014 15:41:05 +0000

Even as a boy and later on, I often thought that one of the most difficult things to depict, describe or paint was, and is, a bomb site, or a debris. Simply put, there are so many separate items and objects on the site which are arranged anarchically. How does one show this devastation? Few artist, as far as I know, have even attempted this. This artist has clearly shown that the years after WW two, debris was a significant part of the inner London landscape.

By: frank hadley

frank hadley — Tue, 06 May 2014 13:47:28 +0000

very nostalgic and the angel city road is amazing it takes me back to when i travelled on a tram up city road with my parents. many thanks for posting.

By: nicola baird

nicola baird — Tue, 06 May 2014 13:07:02 +0000

I love these paintings you’ve selected, especially the finsbury trolley bus. So hope this helps Cyril Mann’s work become better known. Nicola http://islingtonfacesblog.com

By: Teresa Stokes

Teresa Stokes — Tue, 06 May 2014 09:53:19 +0000

My favourite is the wonderful red lamppost at Old Street. Frustrating not to be able to see the name of the street on the nameplate so it would be hard to check and see if it is still there, but I somehow feel it will have been long ago replaced by an ugly modern one.

By: Jean Gaffin

Jean Gaffin — Tue, 06 May 2014 08:38:03 +0000

Beautiful pictures and so nostalgic – when returning to London from evacuation this WAS my London.