I first came across the beguiling drawings of Polish-British artist Franciszka Themerson (1907–1988) when archiving the collection of my grandfather, the poet and publisher Bob Cobbing.1 To help give context to the collection of drawings and photographs, I contacted her niece, the esteemed writer and curator Jasia Reichardt, who had completed archiving Themerson’s works. Over conversations at her house, I grew more familiar with Themerson—not least through the paintings on the walls. Untitled—Multi figure (1972/3), hung above the staircase, is typical of the artist’s work: a compound figure, a body sprouting from the head, a smaller figure superimposed on the torso, sparsely painted with a This story is from Kinfolk Issue Forty-Eight Buy Now Related Stories Arts & Culture Issue 51 Emily Gernild The Danish painter breathing new life into an old medium. Arts & Culture Issue 48 Jordan Casteel The acclaimed painter of people—and now plants. Arts & Culture Issue 47 Peer Review Hadani Ditmars on the disappearing legacy of Rifat Chadirji, Iraq’s most influential architect. Arts & Culture Issue 46 Peer Review Upcycle designer Laurs Kemp on the influence of mid-century salvage artist Louise Nevelson. Arts & Culture Issue 45 Peer Review: Jean Lurçat Textiles expert Janis Jefferies on Jean Lurçat, the Frenchman who revived tapestry for the 20th century. Arts & Culture Issue 44 Peer Review: Minnette de Silva Shiromi Pinto introduces Minnette De Silva, the Sri Lankan modernist who inspired her novel.
Arts & Culture Issue 47 Peer Review Hadani Ditmars on the disappearing legacy of Rifat Chadirji, Iraq’s most influential architect.
Arts & Culture Issue 46 Peer Review Upcycle designer Laurs Kemp on the influence of mid-century salvage artist Louise Nevelson.
Arts & Culture Issue 45 Peer Review: Jean Lurçat Textiles expert Janis Jefferies on Jean Lurçat, the Frenchman who revived tapestry for the 20th century.
Arts & Culture Issue 44 Peer Review: Minnette de Silva Shiromi Pinto introduces Minnette De Silva, the Sri Lankan modernist who inspired her novel.
