Ken Marschall's Art of Titanic
Text: Rick Archbold
Paintings: Ken Marschall
*****
Published by: Madison Press Books
ISBN: 0-7868-6455-9
Binding: Cloth
Pages:159
Price: £30
For the vast majority of Titanic scholars, a Ken Marschall print is the ideal centrepiece for their collection. This book enables the reader to own a record of every Titanic print Marschall has ever produced, and their are some extraordinarily beautiful images.
Part biography, part historical record, the book opens with a chapter detailing Marschall's life and how he came to be regarded by many as the foremost illustrator of the ocean liners of the early twentieth century, following this is a history of Titanic, from sailing day to present day, illustrated with many of Ken's canvasses.
What comes across most is the sheer volume of work the artist has turned out over a 25 year period, Titanic is depicted in almost every stage of her existence, each image holding the reader's eye for a long time. Images such as that on the front cover could be mistaken for photographs. The work is that good.
The book is in my collection for one image in particular; surprisingly it is a painting not of Titanic, but Lusitania as she is in her death throws. On page 143 of the book it is the most extraordinary work of art I have ever seen - I would give my eye teeth to own a copy, alas the book is probably the closest I will ever get.
I seem to write this a lot, but it is undoubtedly a must have!
