This striking 1951 view shows one of the famous Abacus Screens that surrounded the Festival of Britain on London’s South Bank. Constructed from a framework of steel poles supporting brightly colored spheres, the screens were designed to bring color, movement and visual excitement to the exhibition site. Against the deep blue sky, the red, yellow, white, black and gray spheres create a bold modern composition that perfectly reflects the optimistic design spirit of the Festival of Britain.
Prepared from a genuine vintage color photograph in a clean photographic style, this image records one of the lesser-known but highly distinctive features of Britain’s most important postwar exhibition. The Abacus Screens were created as decorative boundary structures to brighten the drab surroundings of the South Bank and to help establish a modern visual identity for the festival. Although millions of visitors passed them in 1951, relatively few photographs survive today, particularly in original color. As a result, this image provides a rare record of a design element that helped define the appearance of the Festival of Britain. Ideal for anyone searching for Festival of Britain wall art, South Bank prints, mid-century modern design artwork, London history decor or British exhibition architecture, it makes a fascinating addition to homes, offices, studios and collections focused on twentieth-century design.
Image style: Photographic finish prepared from a genuine vintage color photograph
Genuine Vintage Photographs, Enhanced for Modern Walls
Every Places Remembered canvas print begins with a genuine historic color photograph from our private archive. Each image is carefully restored to revive faded color, remove age-related imperfections and improve clarity while preserving the recognizable location, original composition and nostalgic atmosphere of the scene.
Some photographs receive a bold, oil-painting-inspired finish, while others remain closer to their original photographic appearance. We do not create fictional scenes or invent places that never existed. The original photograph always remains at the heart of the finished artwork because we believe history should be respected, not rewritten.
Some designs may show the appearance of brushstrokes, painted texture or raised detail, but the finished artwork is printed flat onto the canvas.
Premium Ready-to-Hang Canvas Prints
Each design is printed on matte, non-reflective textured canvas with a premium coating that produces rich color, sharp detail and a polished finish. The canvas is printed using UL Certified non-toxic inks and hand-stretched over a durable 3/4" (2 cm) pine frame sourced from renewable forests.
The artwork is softly mirrored around the edges so the image continues naturally when viewed from the side. Each canvas also includes a sawtooth bracket installed on the back, allowing it to be displayed straight from the box.
Exclusive to Places Remembered
Every print is created from a genuine vintage photograph in our own private archive. We own the original slides or negatives and the rights to the images, making these restored canvas designs exclusive to Places Remembered.
Our photographs are scanned directly from the original film whenever possible, helping preserve their authentic color, detail and historic character.
Choose the Perfect Size
Whether you are decorating a cozy corner or creating a striking focal point, our four canvas sizes are designed to suit a wide range of rooms and spaces.
8×12"20×30 cm
Perfect for shelves, desks, bookcases and gallery walls. Also ideal as a thoughtful gift.
12×18"30×45 cm
A versatile choice for bedrooms, kitchens, home offices and smaller feature walls.
16×24"40×60 cm
Large enough to create a focal point while fitting comfortably into most living spaces.
24×36"60×90 cm
Perfect above sofas, fireplaces and beds, or anywhere you want the artwork to take center stage.
Bulk Discount Available
Buying several prints for your home, workplace, vacation rental, hospitality interior or retail store? Purchase five or more prints and receive 15% off your entire order.
Our canvas prints are well suited to gift shops, cafés, hotels, restaurants, galleries and other physical spaces looking for distinctive vintage-inspired wall art.
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
We want you to be completely delighted with your canvas print. If your order arrives damaged, has a manufacturing defect or does not meet your expectations, please contact us and we will work to resolve the issue.
Free Shipping
We offer free shipping to the USA, Canada, UK, selected European Union countries, Australia and New Zealand. Every canvas is made to order, so please allow approximately 7–14 days for production and delivery.
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