Have a Guinness When You’re Tired by John Gilroy, 1936
Have a Guinness When You’re Tired by John Gilroy, 1936
“Have a Guinness When You’re Tired” by John Gilroy is a charming and playful example of vintage advertising art, first published in 1936. Created as a colour lithograph poster, this iconic piece was part of the celebrated Guinness advertising campaign designed by the renowned commercial artist John Gilroy for the agency S H Benson Ltd. The poster features the memorable image of a glass of Guinness balanced serenely atop the shell of a tortoise, accompanied by the inviting slogan, “Have a Guinness when you’re tired.” This witty juxtaposition of the slow-moving tortoise with the promise of refreshment and revitalization encapsulates the clever, whimsical spirit that made Gilroy’s Guinness posters so beloved.
This fine art print is carefully reproduced by The Unique Maps Co. using high-quality, acid-free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas, ensuring rich colour and long-lasting vibrancy. The print is available in a range of sizes, with optional framing and personalization to suit your space or gifting needs. Each print is crafted to capture the distinctive warmth and nostalgic appeal of the original lithograph, making it a delightful addition to any collection.
John Gilroy, a graduate of the Royal College of Art, was a leading figure in twentieth-century commercial illustration. His partnership with S H Benson Ltd. and subsequent role as in-house illustrator and art director for Guinness saw him create nearly fifty poster designs for the brewery over thirty-five years. Gilroy’s work is celebrated for its wit, charm, and instantly recognizable style, which helped define the visual identity of Guinness for generations.
The “Have a Guinness When You’re Tired” poster stands out as one of Gilroy’s most memorable creations. The gentle humour of the tortoise—an animal renowned for its slow pace—paired with the promise of rejuvenation from a glass of Guinness, perfectly encapsulates the campaign’s playful, approachable messaging. The slogan itself draws from real pub-goers’ responses, grounding the artwork in the authentic culture and social life of 1930s Britain.
The colour palette of this lithograph is both bold and inviting, with the deep, rich brown of the Guinness contrasting against the creamy white of its iconic head. The tortoise is rendered in earthy greens and browns, set against a clean, pale background that draws the viewer’s eye to the central image. The vivid red of the slogan adds an energetic accent, making the poster both visually striking and instantly memorable. This print is ideal for anyone who appreciates classic advertising, Art Deco-era design, or simply wants a conversation-starting piece for their home or office.
This artwork makes a perfect gift for lovers of vintage advertising, beer aficionados, collectors of British art, or anyone who delights in quirky, uplifting design. Whether for Christmas, a birthday, Father’s Day, or a housewarming, “Have a Guinness When You’re Tired” brings a touch of humour, history, and timeless style to any setting.
If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.
You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.
You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.
The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this art print.
I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.
This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.