jans art
This little engraving was shown in the Paris 'Sociéte Nationale des Beaux Arts' salon of 1912 (cat no 2229)
it receiving favourable comment and a photo in 'The Studio' magazine. Usually issued in an edition of 30 this one is unnumbered, I have seen three others. My one here was found in Paris, I wish I knew how it had survived all that time in this condition. 
This is Porto Pollensa, Majorca and dates from 1913. Gifted to me by Jan's godson who saved it from Jan and Coras home after Cora died. The white marks are storage damage, it has since been conserved and cleaned.
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A lot of Jan's early , pre-1914 work was done on small wooden panels of some 6x4 inches A few have survived, but are unable to be shown here. This is Cameret sur Mer where they honeymooned so dates 1909/10 |
another small 6x4 panel by Jan from pre 1914, this is of Gent in Belgium where they had a small art show; that yarn is to be found in the extract 'Gradus ad Montparnassum' elsewhere on here. 
Kraguvatz in Serbia, circa 1915
A super painting from Jan showing himself working at a grinding machine when he was doing Munitions work at Rolls Royce Derby after he returned from Serbia. circa 1916/17.
Possibly a unique record. Still in the possession of a Gordon family member, to whom thanks are given. |
One of my favourites showing Cora firing a machine gun at the Austrian troops across the river Drin in Serbia early 1915.
As related in 'Luck of 13' and later referred to in 'Two Vagabonds in the Balkans'. Evidently she caused a great deal of alarm amongst the Austrian troops in Gorazde but caused no casualties. 
I believe this scene to be painted from their flat in Grafton Way off Tottenham Court road, London.
Impossible to match this view because of rebuilding. Probably 1916/7 |
No date or location for this one, could be from Kent?Sussex border nr Wadhurst where his father lived, or even around Salisbury Wilts.
the horrid blue cast is due to my bad photography 
From Colour magazine 1919 this farmyard sketch, now identified as Eschells Farm Sennen Cove |
No info at all on this one either, my best guess is around Portsmouth Harbour/Bosham where their friends the Smiths had a cottage during WW1. 
Near Sennen Cove again.
like the farmyard opposite the colour for this near 100 year old printing process are not exactly true to the original. Nevertheless a nice pair of pictures which hopefully are still around somewhere |
This painting titled 'The Accursed Mountains of Skilla'
is of Albania according to the British Museum whose copyright it is; but, I am now informed it is in fact the village of Theth in the Shala (not Skilla) Valley. 
Spain, 1920 0r 21. this picture also exists in black white etching 
Spanish Drinkers circa 1920/1 |
What a super painting, it depicts women preparing Almonds for making Turron in Jijona Spain circa 1920 
'The Cloisters of Saint Friday'
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'Salisbury Cathedral'
Gouache, and dating from the mid 1930's Jan evolved into this style of painting which I love. there is a series of these of which several survive sadly I am unable to show them here as yet. 
believed to be Portugal 1933 Gouache. here by kind permission of its owner also that of St Friday above.
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This is Gattieres Provence.
This town is not mentioned in any of their travel writings, but as Gattieres is not far from Gordes it is possible it dates from 1931 or else one of their trips back to France in the 1930s. 
The Fairground
1930s by permission of its owner 
circa 1933 and believed to be a scene near Quinta Saô Thiago in Portugal,the farm owned by Cora's cousin Geraldine Loweth. 
A lucky find for someone in the USA this etching, Jaleo Flamenco 2/50 by Jan had been shipped over from the UK in a job lot of antiques sold at a yard sale. well done Thom in Nashville for spotting it.and thanks for permission to use. |
The following pictures are taken, for want of the originals, from various sources, mostly books or magazines; often the illustrations were similar to the original but differed slightly in some respects. Possibly it was to simplify for reproduction purposes or simply for speed for a sketch to order as in the pictures found in Childrens books, such as the Oxford annuals.
Cambridge Circus Tottenham Court Road London |
Vegetable sellers |
London Entry, this is a publishers proof used in one of the chapter headings in 'London Roundabout' |
All three of the pictures above are copyright of artimagesdirect.com who will sell you good copies.
The Canary Market Club Row, from Apollo magazine 
' The Red Cliffs of Roussillon, Provence',from 'The Artist' series. I believe an original of this is in existance. I have a photo of that in my records. |
This and the next one are rare scenes from Germany 1930,the trip about which they never wrote. These sketches were used in Jan's series 'Things I have Learnt' for the then new magazine 'The Artist' 
'Children playing', again from 'The Artist' series |
from 'The Artist' once more, the Neckar Valley |
Neckar valley again. If any one can identify these places I would be grateful |
'Spanish rest scene' A little illustration for one of the childrens annuals, |
Included here as portraits by Jan are quite rare. This is the frontispiece from 'A Balkan Freebooter' In reality this fellows name was Nicola Pavlovitch, and last heard of in the USA.post 1919. |
This one of Jans must date from 1939-on, its a barrage ballon moored in Hyde Park almost opposite the Albert Hall. The bowling green is still in the same place.Now in New Zealand, and found in 2015 in Portobello Market, a few hunderd yards from where the Gordons lived.
Needless to say I am jealous!
Thanks to the new owners for pemisssion to use.