Edward Bawden Papers

Edward Bawden (1903–1989) was a British painter, illustrator and graphic artist. During the Second World War, Edward Bawden served as one of the official war artists for Britain. He made many evocative watercolor paintings recording the war effort in Iraq. His paintings show the unique life led by the Marsh Arabs in southern Iraq, particularly their majestic dwellings made of reeds. He was also famous for his prints, book covers, posters, and garden metalwork furniture. During an interview, Edward Gorey mentioned that Bawden was one of his favorite artists, lamenting the fact that not many people remembered or knew about this fine artist. Edward Bawden studied in London at the Royal College of Art with fellow student Eric Ravilious, both of whom Paul Nash referred to as "an extraordinary outbreak of talent". By the late 1920s Bawden was working one day a week for the Curwen Press, producing illustrations for leading accounts such as London Transport, Westminster Bank and Twinings. In the early 1930s he was discovered by the famous Stuart Advertising Agency, owned by H. Stuart Menzies and Marcus Brumwell. At this time Bawden produced some of his most humorous and innovative work for Fortnum & Mason and Imperial Airways.

Biographical Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bawden ,2007