Independent Woman: The life and work of Dorothy Burroughes
London Transport Museum has over 30,000 posters in its collection and our rich design heritage continues to inspire commuters, and members of the public, as they travel today. Children’s Art Week, from 28 June – 1 July, gives us the opportunity to delve into our poster collection in more detail and discover some of the artists behind our iconic images.
Children’s Art Week is a UK-wide programme where schools, galleries, museums and community groups can invite children and families to take part in visual arts activities for children and families. This year, we’re hosting a series of workshops encouraging children to look around to find the things hidden in plain sight and uncover the stories they hold, and join us in a series of drawing activities.
You may have seen the classic London Underground Zoo poster with three Langur Monkeys before. This beautiful poster was designed by artist Dorothy Burroughes in 1920, and another with a single monkey followed in 1922. As you can imagine these two posters were a big hit with the public at the time and the 1922 poster became a popular, and often requested, design.
Dorothy Burroughes was born in London in 1883 and studied at both the Slade and Heatherley’s School of Fine Art. Her big career breakthrough, as a commercial artist, was the commission to design a zoo poster for London Underground. The popularity of her beautiful London Underground Zoo poster led on to success as a commercial artist, illustrator and author of children’s books as her career blossomed.
Dorothy’s artistic flair was inspired by Japanese woodcut style and was mostly centred on paintings and prints of animals. She became an associate of The Royal Society of Women Artists in 1923 and then the Royal Society of British Artists in 1925. Dorothy was highly praised for her delightful and graceful style and went on to have a solo show at the Dorian Leigh Gallery in Kensington in 1923.
Her designs featured on many book covers and magazines of the time. Dorothy was also a talented linocut artist and some of her prints were purchased by museums such as the Victoria and Albert Museum. In addition she had two illustrated books published: Queer Beasts at the Zoo and Queer Birds at the Zoo both in 1927.
Dorothy also designed book cover illustrations for her partner Vere Hutchinson, who was the daughter of a general. Vere and Dorothy lived together and, while both women came from wealthy backgrounds and had successful careers, they faced financial struggles and bred West Highland Terriers to supplement their income. To be an independent woman during this period in history was not an easy journey.
As their financial situation improved they moved out of unfurnished lodgings to their own place in Hampstead. Sadly Vere suffered poor health for the time they were together after contracting a virus and died in 1932 at the age of 41. Dorothy went on to live in Wycombe at the outbreak of the Second World War, retiring in 1953 at the age of 70. Dorothy was living near Henley-on-Thames when she died in 1963 and left the princely sum of £26,000 in her will.
If you feel inspired to design your own London Underground Poster this Children’s Art Week, you’ll find resources to support you on our website. Don’t forget to share your designs with us on social media using #IHeartLTM.