Comments on: James Boswell, Artist

By: Mark Derby

Mark Derby — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 22:46:08 +0000

Hi gentle author – I’m a historian in Wellington, NZ, and I’ve just learned of my distinguished compatriot James Boswell through a review of “Comrades in Arts” in the LRB. That led me to your fascinating blog post above. I’d like to write about James Boswell for a magazine in this country – as far as I know he’s all but forgotten here, since he left as a young man and never returned.
Could you pass this message on to his widow Ruth and/or daughter Sal, in case either or both would like to talk me to about him? It will have to be online – I’m not coming over there, more’s the pity.
Yours, with thanks for your fine work,
Mark Derby

By: Jane Holland

Jane Holland — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:55:39 +0000

In addition to the book by Andy Friend, there is an exhibition still on at Tate Britain about the Artists International Association and their work. James Boswell was one of the Three James’s, along with Jim Fitton and my father, James Holland, who worked together on cartoons and art in the Thirties. I think James Bowell might also have been involved, with my father, in the Peace Pavilion for Expo 37 in Paris. He would at least have gone over to see it.

By: Dave Phillips

Dave Phillips — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 22:13:25 +0000

Love his photo; where could that be? Quite the artist.

By: Marcia Howard

Marcia Howard — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 18:52:21 +0000

A wonderful talent

By: Tony Hollington

Tony Hollington — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:34:09 +0000

Hi are there any books available to buy?

By: ANDY STROWMAN

ANDY STROWMAN — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:34:49 +0000

Lots of memories evoked

By: Crystal Lindsay

Crystal Lindsay — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:18:51 +0000

Beautiful work. Thank you for showing it to us.

By: paul rennie

paul rennie — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:17:15 +0000

Comrades in Arms, recently published by Thames and Hudson, and written by Andy Friend, tells the story of James Boswell and the other artists associated with the Artists International etc.