Product Focus: Everett Pocket Square Collection
To mark the start of December and the festive advent season, we are excited to have launched our beautiful three-piece collection from famous English artist John Everett.
John Everett was an English painter born in Dorset but known as Herbert by his family. He spent most of his career in the Merchant Navy as a Seaman and joined the barque Birkdale (1892) as the third mate, sailing out of Bristol for Sabine, Texas, in April 1920. This voyage resulted in many drawings and paintings, including the three below.
Did you know?: In 2017, it was found that there are more paintings by John Everett in UK public art collections than any other artist.
SHOP THE COLLECTION NOW
WHICH PAINTINGS ARE FEATURED IN THE COLLECTION?
We have used three of John Everett's timeless paintings to create stunning silk pocket squares for you to purchase and adore. Below we discuss each one in detail, and what inspired the beautiful artworks you see in our printed silks.
The Cutty Sark
This pocket square shows a large and dramatic evocation of the 'Cutty Sark' bow, focusing on a carved figurehead. In this highly stylised painting, the ship is shown moving through the waves at sunset. The sails of the ship loom above the viewer's point of vision. The crests of the waves are reduced to a series of white blocks on the horizon, reminiscent of Japanese prints. In thick impasto paint, the sun glows orange on the horizon, and the sails are outlined and painted as blocks of colour.
The 'Cutty Sark' was one of the most famous merchants sailing ships of the 19th century. Everett saw her several times while she was at sea under this name. By 1922 she had been rescued by Captain Downman and brought to England, where Everett saw her again. She remained as a training ship until she was put into dry dock at Greenwich in 1954 as the last surviving British merchant sailing ship.
The Iquique
The pocket square portrays a painting of the bow view of the 'Iquique', concentrating on its relationship between sea, sky and ship.
Within the painting, the artist has used a specific and unusual viewpoint showing the ship in full sail, high in the water and cut off at the top of the painting. Banks of cloud are massed as shapes of colour, creating a gloomy backdrop. In the distance towards the horizon, a rainbow and shaft of light are visible. The dramatic effect has been created by the depiction of the weather and by the placement of the ship within the picture. The light shines across the surface of the water, creating a rich navy contrast against the clouds.
The Deck of the Barque 'Endymion' in a Heavy Sea
In this stormy encounter, the effect of the pitching ship is dramatically emphasized by the sharp angle of the mast. It is exaggerated by the large wave looming in the background behind the ship, on an eye level with the viewer. The rich navy sea is shown pouring over the deck which has become partly submerged on the right. The lower portion of the sail is ripped as a result of the weather conditions. Within the painting, the artist has concentrated on detailing on the deck such as the capstan, chains, bollards, bell ropes, etc.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
John Everett was an English painter known as Herbert by his family. He was born in Dorchester, Dorset, before changing his name to John in 1901. After studying briefly at the Académie Julian in Paris, Everett's life took an unconventional path when he embarked on the first of his 16 sea voyages. He created many remarkable and timeless paintings in the early 1920s. Although 1938 marked his last voyage and World War II put an end to his sea travels, he was to paint and make prints from memory and notes from that point.
THREE WAYS TO WEAR THE EVERETT COLLECTION
Pair With A Navy Tailored Jacket
Most of our pocket squares suit our made to order Navy jacket as this classic menswear item is super versatile and wearable across smart and casual uses. The Everett collection works superbly with any navy jacket due to the print's blue and navy sea tones. These will fold and pick up in your fold to suit the navy jacket with style and ease.
Match With A Neutral Tie
The collection features many elements of sails, ships and background scenes such as crashing waves and clouds. This creates beautiful cream and ecru tones within the print to help you pair your outfit appropriately. Be sure to view our handmade tie collection to match with a tie of your choice. We would opt for a neutral based, textured tie to create the perfect colour combination with this collection.
Be Creative With Folds
If you're looking for a fold that can be a real talking point at an event, then the Dunaway is an excellent choice. Ideally, you want to choose a square with some detail on the border to give a nice contrast to the pocket square roll in front. This fold would work perfectly with the colour levels within this collection and the multi blue tones. The pointed border folds also mirror a water or sail type look to complement the look perfectly.
SHOP THE COLLECTION NOW
What Makes Our Pocket Squares So Special?
