Ready to Start - William Orpen Art Print
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William Orpen's Ready to Start is a visual riddle wrapped in an enigma, served with a side of wartime whiskey. This self-portrait-slash-still-life is a masterclass in compositional tension, with Orpen casting himself as both subject and voyeur.
The artist peers out from a mirror, his face a mask of determination beneath that iconic tin hat, while a riotous tabletop cornucopia of bottles, maps, and siphons hints at the chaos beyond the frame. It's a love letter to impending chaos, a last gasp of civilization before the plunge into the muddy unknown of the Western Front.
Orpen's brushwork dances between precision and suggestion - those pink floral wallpaper splotches are practically winking at us, a cheeky nod to domestic comforts soon to be abandoned. The muted palette, punctuated by pops of color in the glassware, speaks volumes about the psychological weight of a world teetering on the brink.
This isn't just a painting; it's a time capsule, a snapshot of that liminal moment between peace and war, comfort and duty. Orpen's genius lies in making us feel the electric anticipation crackling through every inch of canvas. It's a work that demands we lean in close, decoding its layers like a spy examining a secret message, all while the artist's steady gaze reminds us of the very real, very human cost of the Great War looming on the horizon.
Origin Story
Wall Art Size Guides
Framed Art Prints
1. Vertical
Use the sawtooth hanger at the top middle on the back of the frame and hang it on a single screw or nail.
2. Horizontal
Hang the two sawtooth hangers on two screws or nails at the same heightPut two screws or nails in the wall at the same height, spaced the same distance apart as the two sawtooth hangers, then hang your print on them.
Framed Canvas
1. D-rings (most secure)
Screw a D-ring onto the back of the frame on the left and right, both at the same height. A ruler helps here. Then put two screws in the wall where you want your canvas, level with each other and spaced the same distance apart as the D-rings. A spirit level makes this easier. Finally, hook the D-rings onto the screws.
2. Straight onto screws
Keep it simple: put two screws in the wall at the same height and rest the inner lip at the top of the back of the frame on them.
1. Cost
Free shipping to Continental USA, Canada, UK, EU, AUS, NZ & more: see full list here.
2. Produced on Demand
Printed after you purchase at print labs across the USA, UK, EU & AUS. Produced, quality checked, packed with care and handed to trusted shipping carriers within 72-96 hours on average.
3. Production + Shipping =
USA: 4-9 days • Canada: 5-12 days • UK: 4-9 days • EU: 5-10 days • AUS: 4-9 days • NZ: 5-12 days • Rest of the world: 3-4 weeks
4. Shipped with Love
Every package tracked from A to B to You.
Sent carbon neutral at no extra charge.
Peace of mind your money's being kind.
30 Day Returns
1. You're welcome to open a return / exchange request within 30 days of your order's delivery. All items for return must be delivered back in their original condition, with their original packaging included.
2. No guarantees your return will be approved if you send items back before the approval of your return request.
3. No returns, refunds or exchanges on discounted or sale items.
Read the step-by-step returns process.
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