English Garden Delights

Edward Bawden: A Life in Art

• Born: March 10, 1903, Braintree, Essex, England
• Died: November 21, 1989
• Nationality: English
• Known for: Painting, Illustration, Graphic Art, Prints, Book Covers, Posters, Garden Metalwork Furniture

Early Life and Education

• Bawden's early life was shaped by a solitary childhood spent drawing and exploring nature. His parents, Methodist Christians, encouraged his artistic inclinations.
• He attended Braintree High School and later the Friends’ School at Saffron Walden.
• From 1919 to 1921, he studied at Cambridge School of Art.
• In 1922, he received a scholarship to the Royal College of Art School of Design in London, where he studied illustration until 1925. It was here that he met Eric Ravilious, forming a significant artistic partnership.
• During this period, Bawden demonstrated early talent with commissions like the tiles for the London Underground exhibited at the International Building Trades Exhibition in 1928.

Artistic Development and Key Works

• Early Commercial Work: Bawden's career involved extensive commercial work for companies such as London Transport, Westminster Bank, Twinings, Poole Potteries, Shell-Mex & BP, the Folio Society, Chatto & Windus, and Penguin Books. This honed his skills in graphic design and illustration.
• Mural at Morley College: A significant early project was the mural created with Ravilious and Charles Mahoney for Morley College in London (1928-1930).
• The Great Bardfield Artists: Bawden became a central figure in the Great Bardfield Arts Group, alongside artists like Eric Ravilious. This community fostered collaboration and shared artistic values.
• War Artist: During World War II, Bawden served as an official war artist for the British Army, documenting his experiences in France, North Africa, the Middle East, and Iraq. These works provide a valuable historical record of wartime life.
• Distinctive Style: Bawden developed a distinctive style characterized by detailed observation, linear precision, and a blend of humor and melancholy. His watercolours are particularly celebrated for their evocative depictions of landscapes and everyday scenes.

Influences and Legacy

• Early Influences: Bawden was influenced by artists like Louis Wain, Burne Jones, Aubrey Beardsley, Richard Doyle, and William Morris.
• Contemporary Collaboration: His close collaboration with Eric Ravilious significantly shaped his artistic development.
• Later Recognition: Bawden's work gained wider recognition later in life, influencing graphic artists like Edward Gorey and David Gentleman.
• Historical Significance: Bawden’s contributions to British art are significant for his versatility as an illustrator, painter, and designer. His wartime documentation provides a unique perspective on the era, while his commercial designs helped shape the visual landscape of mid-20th century Britain.

Family and Later Years

• In 1932, Bawden married Charlotte Epton, also an artist and potter. They had two children, Joanna and Richard, both of whom became artists.
• The couple lived in Great Bardfield, Essex, for several decades, becoming integral to the local artistic community.
• After his wife's death in 1970, Bawden moved to Saffron Walden where he continued working until his death in 1989.