Lewitt

Jan Le Witt and George Him were a comparative rarity, a graphic design duo; signing their work as 'Lewitt-Him' they brought an innovative use of colour, imaginative abstraction and symbolism to commercial design. Both Polish by birth, they arrived in London in 1937, sponsored by the Victoria and Albert Museum and Lund Humphries. They established their reputation for fine poster work in World War II, and for their exhibition work with their much loved Guinness Clock at the Festival of Britain. In Poland their illustrations for Lokomotywa helped make it a children's classic and they continued with book illustration throughout their partnership. Of very different temperaments and artistic interests the partnership lasted some twenty years, to January 1955, when Le Witt left to develop his career as an artist. Him continued his commitment to graphic design - illustration, exhibitions and general commercial work - most remarkable of which were his witty illustrations marrying Stephen Potter's texts for Schweppes - 'Schweppshire', one of the longest lasting advertisement campaigns. Hoepli on line

The Lewitt-Him Design Partnership
Jan Lewitt and George Him began working together as the Lewitt-Him design partnership in 1933, shortly after George Him returned to Poland from Germany. Lewitt-Him established themselves as designers of distinction in Poland, and soon became known internationally through magazines like Gebrauchsgraphik. They remained in partnership for 21 years.
In 1937 they were invited to exhibit their work at the gallery of Lund Humphreys and because they liked London they decided to stay. They were key figures in the influx of artistic talent arriving in Britain from the rest of Europe at that time, under the impetus of the threat of persecution by the Nazis and the imminent prospect of war.
During the 21 years of their collaboration they produced work of outstanding originality and quality. Their first children's book Lokomotywa, or the Locomotive, published in Poland in 1934, is generally considered a masterpiece. Faber and Faber commissioned Lewitt-Him to illustrate The Little Red Engine gets a Name by Diana Ross (1942), which is a classic of its period.
During World War II Lewitt-Him worked for the British Ministry of Information, the Post Office, the Ministry of Food and others, also for the Polish and Dutch Governments in exile producing mainly posters. These were ahead of their time, distinguished, vivacious and witty. The Vegatabull and Shank's Pony are still remembered.
Shortly after World War 2, the Lewitt-Him Partnership contributed to the "Britain can make it" exhibition of 1946 and to the Festival of Britain (1951) designing murals for the Education Pavilion and the Guiness Festival Clock in Battersea Park.

1939 ca

1950

1950

1950 ca