Crittall's Windows

From our new collection of Etching Revival prints, this striking modernist landscape with an unusual story... Walter Francis Crittall (1887–1956) was an artist, architect and designer, son of Francis Henry Crittall (1860–1935) of Crittall window fame. In 1884 in the Essex town of Braintree, Crittall Senior instigated the manufacture of metal-framed windows; Crittall Manufacturing Company Ltd became the world's leading manufacturer of steel-framed windows.

Walter Francis Crittall studied at St John's Wood Art School and subsequently worked as an architect, both a follower and champion of the modern movement, working in elements of Art Deco and Arts and Crafts style. He famously designed houses for employees of Crittall at the model village of Silver End in Essex (image 3). He was also a furniture designer, artist and member of The Design and Industries Association. Known as 'Mr Pink', Crittall later lived at Great Easton, Essex and had a second home on the coast at Southwold in Suffolk, a favourite of early and mid-20th century artists. He became a close friend of the artist Sir George Clausen and co-founded The Sole Bay Group.

If you look closely at this etching you can see geometric steel window frames starkly silhouetted against the vast East Anglian skies.