Ravilious, born in 1903, studied on a scholarship at the RCA where his tutors included William Rothenstein and Paul Nash and he first met life-long friend Edward Bawden.He married Tirzah Garwood in 1930. She was also an artist and engraver and the couple met at Eastbourne College when he was teaching there. In the 1920s he made his early reputation with wood-engravings but by 1936 had started making lithographs with the Curwen Press and taking commissions for illustration and book jacket design whilst continuing to paint the southern English countryside. Ravilious was later assigned to the Royal Navy as one of the first Official War Artists in 1941, being transferred the year after to the Air Ministry. On service to Iceland in August of that year, he died whilst accompanying an air sea rescue mission.
When Ravilious and Bawden graduated from the RCA they began exploring
the Essex countryside in search of rural subjects to paint. Bawden
rented Brick House in Great Bardfield
as a base and when he married Charlotte Epton, his father bought it for
him as a wedding present. Ravilious and Garwood lodged in Brick House
with the Bawdens until 1934 when they purchased Bank House at Castle Hedingham which is now also marked by a blue plaque. There were eventually several other Great Bardfield Artists.
These are the other postcards of his paintings that were in the scrapbook
"Geraniums and Carnations"
"Hull's Mill, Sible Hedingham, Essex"
"White Horse and Train"
Once I saw these I had to buy the scrapbook! I've taken out some of the cards in the scrapbook but I'm going to add in other bits to make it my own. These Eric Ravilious cards are definitely keepers and there are also a few postcards featuring paintings by his friend Edward Bawden.
What a treasure. I love those postcards - beautiful work. Thanks for the background info.
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I love the washed out look of his paintings. There is one inside the train looking out at the White Horse, which must have been based on the train taken from London to Swindon. He also painted the Uffington white horse as well amongst the rolling hills of Wiltshire.
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely find - his art work is beautiful but the White Horse particularly got my attention - It looks to me like the Westbury white horse (where we scattered my fathers ashes as it was his favourite place) Wiltshire but I could be wrong. It is a very beautiful picture and I had never heard of Eric so really enjoyed the post, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI can see why you couldn't resist buying the scrapbook. His art work has a charm that draws the viewer in. What a shame that he died so young.
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely photos especial the one in the greenhouse. What a pity he only lived for such a short time it makes you wonder what ลตe would have done. I agree you had a very special find and so pleased that some one really enjoyed finding it.
ReplyDeleteHazel ๐๐
Beautiful work. It reminds me of the delicacy and elegance of some of the watercolours painted by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, especially the architectural detail. Thanks for the intro to both Eric and Tirzah. Her book is a definite must have! Morag
ReplyDeleteProbably too far from Suffolk but there is currently (Oct to 30 Jan 22) an exhibition of his work in the Wiltshire Museum, Devizes.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/?exhibition=eric-ravilious-downland-man
2 posts out of the postcard book. Will there be a third?
ReplyDeleteOff to Devizes today (floods permitting) to see the Ravilious exhibition.
ReplyDeleteThe Westbury White Horse brings back childhood memories for me and my dad saying "Bowyers Wiltshire Sausengers" as we headed towards Trowbridge where they were made.
ReplyDeleteEric Ravilious was taken far too young. My favourite card would be the Westburyone, but love the Caravans too. I would have bought that scrapbook too.
Another fan here. I have a postcard of Aldeburgh by Eric Ravilious sitting opposite me now. Incidentally, autocorrect changed his name to Eric Fabulous! How apt!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Thanks so much for sharing your treasured discovery
ReplyDeleteHe died when the aircraft he was in was lost off Iceland.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful artwork. I particularly like the caravans as I'm descended from travelling folk, who on the 1881 census were 'in a caravan'.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic find…
ReplyDeleteThose pictures are beautiful. I don't always understand 'art' but these are wonderful and right up my street. I like Andrea Kowch's work, slightly wacky but they really appeal to me.
ReplyDeleteThe post cards are a good find and ER's choice of subjects are exquisite. Did he produce larger paintings as well?
ReplyDeleteI would have bought that book too. Those pictures are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteRavilious, Paul and John Nash - I love all three.
ReplyDeleteSad that he died so young - a terrible loss for the art community.
ReplyDeletewow those are wonderful! I have never heard of him before.
ReplyDeleteCathy
This are wonderful artists. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful postcards. What a wonderful artist.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Wow how beautiful! What a wonderful find.
ReplyDeleteIs anyone familiar with the work of his some James Ravilious? He was a photographer living rural mid Devon. He took photographs of village and agricultural life in the 1970's and early 80's. They are truly wonderful. All the people in the pictures are named which adds to them. Do look him up on line. He say died too young as well in about 2000.
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