Art of Illustration
Eric Ravilious - Two Women in a Garden
Eric Ravilious - Two Women in a Garden
Limited edition giclee print.
Edition of 950
Image size: 43.2cm x 53cm
Paper size: 61cm x 72cm
Printed on 310 gsm thick, 100% cotton rag.
Watercolour, 1933. The two women in question are Charlotte, Bawden’s wife in the deckchair leaning against the walnut tree, and Tirzah, Ravilious’s wife, preparing vegetables. This is Brick House in Essex, Bawden’s large house and garden which at this point was shared by both couples, all having a hand in its decoration. The women made marbled paper for the house, whilst, as reported by Charlotte in the spring of 1932, ‘Edward and Rav are at Bardfield this week, decorating the ‘Victorian’ room. They are threatening to paint stags’ horns and trophies of the chase in suitable positions on the wall, and forget-me-nots and pansies round the fireplace, but I think Rav will keep a discreet hand over Edward’s rococo spirit’. This is a rare painting – not only is the subject winsome – reading, and the shelling or pairing of peas, but it is rare too for Ravilious to depict his friends and loved ones.