Artwork of the Week - 20th October 2014

Eric Ravilious - Beachy Head

Did you see the articles this week about the discovered masterpiece by famous wartime artist Eric Ravilious? A 'print' bought by an art lover a year before for £100 has turned out to be a lost masterpiece which sold at auction for a record £312,700!

The piece entitled 'Bathing Machine, Aldeburgh' is part of a set of three watercolours painted by the artist in 1938 on a visit to the Suffolk coast town. The artwork was taken to JS Auctions, Mr Smith of JS Auctions said "The watercolour was consigned to us from a local deceased estate and had not been seen on the open market since 1939 when it was purchased from a exhibition by the original owner. In superb original condition and with its original frame and gallery labels, the painting was a superb example of Ravilious’ skill and this, combined with the artist’s rarity contributed to the huge amount of interest from collectors and dealers worldwide.” Upon hearing of the discovery Eric's daughter, Ann Ullmann, dashed to the auction rooms to view her father's painting for the first time. She described it as "an absolute corker".

Eric Ravilious was born in London and studied at the Royal College of Art where he was taught by Paul Nash. It was also there that he became friends and sometimes work companion with Edward Bawden. Eric Ravilious built a career as an illustrator, designer and printmaker as well as serving as a war time artist. He designed a number of popular pieces for Wedgewood between 1936 and 1940 including a coronation mug for Edward VIII which was adapted for George V. Unfortunately Eric's life was cut short at the age of just 39 when he accompanied a Royal Air Force rescue mission which failed to return to its base.

Beachy Head is a wonderful example of Eric's ability to capture light like no other painter. This Limited Edition Giclee Print has been produced from an original watecolour painted in 1939. The piece is extremely high quality, printed on 310gsm thick 100% cotton rag paper, hand numbered and embossed. To view the collection of available Limited Edition Prints by Eric Ravilious please take a look at Union Art.

Public collections holding Eric Ravilious work include: British Museum, Imperial War Museum, London’s Transport Museum, Ministry of Defence Art Collection and Victoria & Albert Museum.