The British Scene - City park scene, 1939-1946 - John Thomas Young Gilroy - Framed art Print

John Thomas Young Gilroy (1898-1985) was a prolific painter and illustrator, originally from Whitley Bay, Newcastle upon Tyne. His academic journey was interrupted by World War I, during which he served in France, Italy, and Palestine with the Royal Field Artillery. After the war, in September 1919, he resumed his studies at the prestigious Royal College of Art in London, contributing illustrations for the student magazine during his tenure there.

By 1925, Gilroy started working for advertising agents S. H. Benson Ltd, where he designed campaigns for brands like Skipper Sardines, Bovril, Macleans, and Monk & Glass Custard Powder. His creative talent played a crucial role for Bensons in winning the Guinness contract, leading to his creation of a poster for the beer company in 1930 - a partnership that lasted until the 1960s and yielded over 50 unforgettable designs, the most famous arguably being "Guinness is Good for You."

Parallelly, in the 1920s, Gilroy was also making a name for himself as an exceptional portrait artist. His creative contribution during World War II left a lasting impression, with memorable posters like "Keep It Under Your Hat" and "Careless Talk Costs Lives" urging the public to exercise discretion.