Railway poster artists

The inspiration behind our Great British Railway posters comes from many sources, but one artist stands out as a major influence on Ian Scott Massie’s work — the remarkable Fred Taylor (1875–1963).

Born in London, Taylor was a painter and poster designer whose talent helped define the golden age of British travel posters. He studied at the Académie Julian in Paris, Goldsmiths’ College School of Art, and in Italy, where he was awarded a gold medal and a travelling scholarship for his artistic achievements.

Taylor’s career was as diverse as it was distinguished. He created an impressive body of work for railway and shipping companies, capturing the spirit of travel with bold design and vibrant colour. During World War II, his skills were put to an entirely different use when he served as an official camouflage artist, applying his keen understanding of form and perspective to the war effort.

Fred Taylor was particularly skilled in depicting architecture and the play of light on buildings. His ability to capture the grandeur and atmosphere of structures such as York Minster or Fountains Abbey can easily be compared to Ian Scott Massie’s own interpretations of these iconic sites. Taylor’s precision and sensitivity to light have clearly left their mark on Massie’s approach to architectural subjects.

Another artist whose influence shines through Massie’s work is Norman Wilkinson (1878–1971). A celebrated marine painter and accomplished designer, Wilkinson had a lifelong fascination with the sea and travel. His coastal railway posters and evocative depictions of harbours, shorelines, and station interiors display a mastery of water in all its forms — from the shimmer of calm bays to the reflections of city lights. These qualities can be seen echoed in Massie’s posters of Whitby, Robin Hood’s Bay, and King’s Cross, where atmosphere and light combine to evoke both movement and memory.

Together, artists like Fred Taylor and Norman Wilkinson helped shape the visual language of British travel — a tradition that Ian Scott Massie continues today, celebrating the beauty, heritage, and spirit of place through his own distinctive railway art.