P&O 'Winter in the East'

By the 1930s, shipping posters reflected the expanding market for holiday and leisure travel. Artists became more adventurous and instead of conventional pictures of ships, started to focus on showing exotic destinations and scenic views- more attractive themes for increasingly demanding tourists.

This poster was designed by Dorothy Newsome, one of a few female poster artists of the time. Originally form Coventry, Dorothy travelled to India twice, where she was working for printing companies in Calcutta and Bombay. Exotic travels had a significant impact on her style in which can be seen in the application of vibrant, warm colours, as well as her selection of subjects - including Asian sights or the lives of traditionally dressed local people.