Description

This beautifully illustrated book is the first full-length critical study to focus on the watercolours of multitalented British artist and designer Eric Ravilious (1903-1942). Adopting the wide-ranging approach familiar to readers of his previous books on the artist, author James Russell explores the evolution of a remarkable talent.

An introductory section offers an intimate portrait of Ravilious, an artist for whom personal relationships, particularly with women, were paramount. It goes on to describe the extraordinary achievements of an all-too-brief career, drawing on new research to seek out artistic influences and examine Ravilious’s relationships with fellow-artists, as well as the development of his mark making.

There follows the most comprehensive display of Ravilious watercolours yet assembled. Some have never been published, while others are familiar and well loved. Many are explored in short accompanying essays, some with full-bleed images that show details of paintings at full size. These texts are designed to entertain and enlighten, looking at composition, technique, influence and inspiration, or discussing the significance of particular subjects and the people behind the scenes.

This is the definitive guide to the luminous, evocative and timeless watercolours of Eric Ravilious, an artist now regarded as one of the finest of the twentieth century.

Publisher Review

'Excellent' - Richard Dorment, Telegraph; 'beautifully written, designed and printed...Russell's catalogue is also a wonderful additional to the Ravilious bibliography, with a short lucid introduction to his life followed by detailed descriptions of the 80 watercolours included in the recent exhibition, some of which were shown for the first time, along with many favourites' - Decorative Arts Society Newsletter; 'a handsome publication with excellent illustrations. Russell's commentaries on the individual exhibits are engaging, entertaining and enlightening. His introduction is compelling and refreshingly direct, urging us to look closely but concluding, rightly, that there can be no correct interpretations of Ravilious, whose pictures "still quiver with mysterious life" - Richard Green, Burlington Magazine; 'Excellently illustrated' - Peyton Skipworth, Country Life; 'copiously illustrated...the first full length critical study to focus on Ravilious's watercolours and draws on new research to seek out his artistic influences.' - Angela Wintle, Sussex Life; 'this is the first major study of Ravilious's watercolours and enables us to enjoy the exhibition long after it is taken down.' - InterLib Journal; 'this book impresses' - The Eclectic Light Company Blog