Frank Martin

Frank Martin was born in Dulwich, South London in 1921...

In 1949, Martin became a freelance illustrator, wood engraver and commercial artist. His first commercial work was as a fashion illustrator for The Sunday Times (1949-50), after which he began his career as a book-illustrator, creating many illustrations for books and magazines as well as private clients.

In 1952, Martin was elected to the Society of Wood Engravers and, though new to printmaking, he immediately found himself appointed Secretary. In the 1970s and early 1980s Martin concentrated on his limited edition prints and amongst his favourite subjects was cinema, especially the Hollywood musicals of the 1920s and 30s. He began the production of large linocuts, then woodcuts, etchings and drypoints, in colour and monochrome, some of which he published himself, while others were published by galleries in Britain and the United States. These series of prints were sold in both countries and became much sought after.

Martin was elected a Member of the Society of Wood Engravers in 1952 (Honorary Secretary, 1952-59), a Member of the Society of Industrial Artists in 1959, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers in 1961, an Honorary Academician of the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno, Florence, Italy, in 1965, and a Member of the Graphic Design Board of the Council for National Academic Awards from 1977-1981. Frank Martin died aged 84, in 2005.