Eileen Agar: The Autobiography of an Embryo | Custom Prints | Tate Shop

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Eileen Agar

The Autobiography of an Embryo,

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About the artwork

Eileen Agar’s oil paint on board artwork was intended as ‘a celebration of life, not only a single one, but life in general.' Shells, fish and bird-like shapes feature throughout the piece, connecting human and animal life. Abstract, classical and ancient imagery appears, suggesting that the piece charts artistic as well as biological development. With its bright colours and familiar images, Agar explained that ‘I wanted to make it into a story as if told to a child, not into a scientific thesis'.

Abstract Art

Artist Eileen Agar
Artwork The Autobiography of an Embryo
Material FSC Certified paper and wood
Credit Original: Oil paint on board 91.4 × 213 cm Tate. Purchased 1987 © The estate of Eileen Agar

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Eileen Agar (1899 – 1991) was a British artist, working across a variety of media, including sculpture, painting, collage and photography. In the 1930s she was part of a community of prominent artists, and a member of the London Group from 1934 onwards. Although she resisted the title, Agar was one of the leading figures of British Surrealism, and one of the few women whose works were exhibited in the seminal London International Surrealist Exhibition, 1936, at the recommendation of fellow artist Paul Nash.

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DELIVERIES AND RETURNS

Delivery times

We aim to deliver custom prints within 2-4 weeks. As each print is handmade to order they take a little longer to prepare. We’ll dispatch your order as soon as it is ready, separately from any other items.

We currently offer free standard delivery on all UK orders over £60. Here’s more information on delivery.

Refunds and returns

As custom prints are made to order, unfortunately we cannot accept returns if you have changed your mind or made a mistake. If we have made a mistake, or there is a problem with your order, then please contact our customer service team at shop@tate.org.uk.

Here’s more information on refunds & returns.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When will my order be delivered?

We aim to deliver your made-to-order custom print within 1-2 weeks for UK orders, and within 2-4 weeks for international delivery. You can see an estimated delivery date on the product page, on the green banner above the size and frame options.

Our custom prints are produced and shipped directly from our print workshop and arrive separately to all other items. You can learn more about delivery here.

I've made a mistake, can I amend my order?

The best thing to do is email us as soon as possible at shop@tate.org.uk or call us on +44 (0)207 887 8888 with your order number, ideally within 24 hours. Please note that as custom prints are made to order, if production has already started, we won’t be able to make any amendments to the print itself, but we can change your delivery name and address if the order has not been dispatched yet.

I've changed my mind, can I cancel my order?

As custom prints are made to order, unfortunately you can’t cancel your order after production has started (typically within 24 hours). If you get in touch with us within 24 hours, our team will check on the status of your order and do whatever they can to help you out.

Can I return my print?

Because our prints and frames are made to order, custom prints can only be returned if they’re faulty or we’ve made a mistake. If this is the case, please contact us straight away with details and images of the problem, so we can arrange for a refund or replacement for you. You can find further information regarding refunds and returns here.

About Our Prints

Our custom prints are high-quality, made-to-order fine art print reproductions of Tate collection and exhibition artworks. Available in a choice of sizes and hand-made frames, they’re created using state of the art technology and sustainably sourced materials by our Sussex-based print specialists.