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Janet Brooke’s City Churches

May 15, 2014
by the gentle author

Christ Church Spitalfields

Knowing how much I love the City Churches, Janet Brooke sent me this breathtaking series of linocuts portraying some favourite examples. “Each design is carved into a piece of lino and printed on my Imperial Press which was built in 1832 in Curtain Rd, Shoreditch,” Janet explained, “I cut separate blocks for each colour which have to be carefully registered to fit together.”

I was thrilled by such an ambitious use of a modest technique which – in Janet’s hands – is ideally suited to the dramatic architectural geometry of these magnificent structures. “I am fascinated by the way these buildings, which were once high points of the City, are now hidden amidst the landscape of contemporary London,” Janet admitted to me.

St Mary Abchurch

St Mary Somerset

St Edmund King & Martyr

St Stephen Walbrook

St Augustine Watling St

St Nicholas Cole Abbey

St Michael Paternoster Royal

St Benet Paul’s Wharf

St Lawrence Jewry

St Vedast alias Foster

St Alban Wood St

St Magnus the Martyr

St Margaret Lothbury

St Andrew by the Wardrobe

St James Garlickhythe

St Michael Cornhill

St Brides

St Margaret Pattens

St Clement Danes

Images copyright © Janet Brooke

Janet Brooke’s City Churches opens tonight at Orso Major Gallery, 19 Lower Marsh, and runs until until 21st June

You may also like to take a look at

The City Churches of Old London

Spires of City Churches

More Spires of City Churches

Nicholas Hawksmoor’s Churches

The Oranges & Lemons Churches

20 Responses leave one →
  1. Vicky permalink
    May 15, 2014

    I love the grainy texture of linocut. These are wonderful!

  2. May 15, 2014

    I love these Janet, will try and get to your exhibition

  3. May 15, 2014

    Really great set of prints. Amongst other things, Janet has printed a wonderful set of quirky Brighton shops too. Janet’s film of how her printing press was carried by a crane over the roof of her tall house and into her back garden is quite awe inspiring. All the best with the exhibition.

  4. Matt S permalink
    May 15, 2014

    These are fantastic!

  5. May 15, 2014

    Wonderful textures and style, love how she has used the different colours. Valerie

  6. Julia S permalink
    May 15, 2014

    Brilliant printmaking, is it possible to buy from the artist? I live a fair way from London

  7. May 15, 2014

    Elegant, Accomplished and very beautiful thank you!

  8. May 15, 2014

    I only can say: Brilliant! — A stylistically confident implementation. Would like to have an original!

    Love & Peace
    ACHIM

  9. Libby Hall permalink
    May 15, 2014

    Indeed breathtaking!

    I want them all. I want a wall covered with them!

    To be reminded how very much I love London is a grand way to begin a sunny day in London.

  10. Soos permalink
    May 15, 2014

    I love your pictures – such a marvellous way of portraying our beautiful City of London churches.

  11. Ros permalink
    May 15, 2014

    These are terrific and give a great sense of scale and perspective – vivid and interesting with such good use of colour.

  12. Deborah Fyrth permalink
    May 15, 2014

    These are just stunning, took my breath away.

  13. May 15, 2014

    Hi – You can see some of the work on the website or call the gallery on 07958 760 424 to buy, or email gita@orsomajor.com. We can post to anywhere in the UK. Thanks

  14. Elizabeth cornwell permalink
    May 15, 2014

    These are wonderful!

  15. May 15, 2014

    Just lovely. The use of color, and the colors themselves, are breathtaking.

  16. May 15, 2014

    Thanks so much for sharing these images – they are so evocative. The Lino print technique is perfect for representing these buildings – the relative simplicity of line and colour draws attention to the wonderful shapes of the architecture for me.

  17. John Campbell permalink
    May 15, 2014

    ooh love these! Would love to see how she creates these fantastic pieces.

  18. May 16, 2014

    Oh wow! Fabulous art. Very like Andy Warhol and the Pop Art era. Beautiful works of art.

  19. pete fraser permalink
    May 16, 2014

    An outstanding set of prints . . .

  20. May 16, 2014

    Simply wonderful!

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