In 1957, artist Feliks Topolski RA (1907–1989) was commissioned by the Bank of England to sketch everyday life at its newly opened printing works in Debden, Essex. All of our banknotes are still printed here today.
Our exhibition explores the printing works through Topolski’s eyes. The artist’s dynamic style of drawing captures the activity of people and machinery at the newly-built factory.
Scroll through this gallery to see the drawings and paintings by Feliks Topolski in our collection.
Explore the history of the Printing Works department at the Bank of England through these artworks from our collection.
In 1954, the Bank of England began construction of its new banknote Printing Works in Debden, Essex. View the work as it was photographed during the project.
The Bank of England Museum would like to thank the Topolski Studio for their help with this exhibition.
The Topolski Studio is an arts educational organisation that continues Feliks Topolski’s legacy of pictorial reportage. Through a yearly residency, now in its sixth year, it enables young artists to record today’s issues through drawing and produce their own contemporary Chronicle.
We are also grateful to:
Estate of Feliks Topolski
Ruth Borchard Collection / Piano Nobile Gallery
The Bank of England Archive
The Bank of England Notes Directorate
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