THE] A R T I S T: S Y D N E Y R. J O N E S

Sydney Robert Flemming Jones (SRJ) was born in Warwickshire, Birmingham in1881 and studied at the Birmingham School of Art from 1897-98, 189899 and 1901-02.1 The positioning of his education within history was long after the inception of the picturesque in the 18th century and just before the ‘Townscape’ movement had fully emerged in the 1940s. His contribution to the movement was exhibitions in different places documenting what he saw through the medium of drawing.

Having had the experience of working in an architecture practice, he was also a draughtsman, an etcher, painter and author. His work has been showcased at the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, Royal Academy, Walker Art Gallery and others. He illustrated for The Times, Illustrated London News, London Transport and Studio Magazine. He has comprehensive experience in capturing Englishness within The Picturesque.

S.R.J is able to capture the essence of a place through a high level of detail and his ability to draw technically in accordance with the rules of perspective and orthographic drawings. Both of these factors create a more realistic impression. The drawings done in pencil appear loose and ephemeral, which creates an unforgettable nostalgic effect. All of these factors contribute to what makes his drawings so attractive.

He published his own books, which contained his drawings as illustrations and his personal commentary on what he observed, focused on what he was trying to communicate. These works include England in France, The Manor Houses of England, Thames Triumphant, London Triumphant and many others. Cottage pattern books were a trend from the 18th century, continuing until the 20th century with varying popularity.2 They were a means for architects without funding/benefactors to trade the skills that they had to middle-class clients, illustrating cottage designs. After reading London Triumphant (LT), it is clear that there was an agenda embedded within the narrative of the book. Unlike other pattern books that had the primary role of illustrating architecture, styles and the architect’s skill as an artist. London Triumphant appears to have the purpose of presenting London in a picturesque way, whilst Hitler and the opposition within the war are often referred to in a condemning way, S.R.J’s presentation of London is picturesque and therefore worthy of preservation, making it a valuable instance where the picturesque can be seen as being used in a more sophisticated way in conjunction with a narrative.