LONDON.- A striking watercolour by Eric Ravilious has been purchased by the Fry Art Gallery with the help of the Art Fund. Entitled "Caravans", the work depicts the artist’s temporary home and studio during the early 1930s. This is the first time the painting has changed hands since it was sold by the artist in 1936. The Art Fund gave a substantial grant to help the Fry Art Gallery acquire the work. The watercolour shows the two caravans where the artist lived and worked at the peak of his career, offering an insight into his attachment to the landscape of Sussex. The caravans painted by Ravilious stood near a remote cottage called Furlongs at Glynde in Sussex, which was owned by artist Peggy Angus. After visiting her in 1934, Ravilious was so inspired by the beauty of the Downs that he bought the caravans to use as a work space there.

The painting has the mysterious, almost supernatural quality of many of Ravilious’ watercolours. Cool greens, dark browns and greys contrast with the lighter features of the landscape. A path leads the viewer’s gaze from the foreground of the painting past the two caravans which are starkly silhouetted on top of a hill in the distance. The wintry landscape is framed by trees.

The caravans have an intriguing history of their own. Originally fever wagons used during the Boer War, they were bought by the artist for 15 shillings each from the manager of the nearby cement works. He took them to the site, overlooking Mount Caburn on the South Downs, where they remained until collapsing in the mid 1950s.

The Fry Art Gallery contains a strong collection of works by Eric Ravilious and the Great Bardfield group of artists from North West Essex who worked in the mid 20th century. Caravans offers a fascinating insight into Ravilious’ relationship with several of these artists. The interiors of the caravans were decorated by his wife Tirzah. In the 1950s they were photographed by Edwin Smith, another important artist at the Fry Gallery, when he visited the location with Olive Cook.

Stephen Deuchar, Director of the Art Fund said: “Caravans is a fascinating watercolour, and its personal subject matter makes it even more powerful. We’re delighted it’s going on public display, helping tie together the lives of some of the artists represented at the gallery.”

Eric Ravilious was born in London in 1903. He attended Eastbourne School of Art, and subsequently enrolled at the Royal College of Art under Paul Nash, where he became lifelong friends with the artist Edward Bawden. Ravilious achieved great success and recognition in the fields of design, wood engraving, mural decoration, and watercolour. He was an official war artist during World War II and was killed in 1942 at the age of 39 on a Royal Air Force rescue mission. Exhibitions and publications during 2003, his centenary year, established his name firmly in the forefront of 20th century English artists.

He later went on to become one of the most acclaimed artist’s of the 1930’s, also doing wood-engraving working for Wedgwood. Eric Ravilious was killed whilst serving as a war artist within the Royal Air Force, following a rescue mission off the coast of Iceland.

"Caravans" will be on display at the Fry Art Gallery’s exhibition Ravilious in Essex, which will include watercolours and other works by the artist, opening on 24th April 2011 at the Fry Art Gallery. Ravilious in Essex will bring together for the first time a body of work solely featuring North West Essex and made during the last eleven years of the artist’s life.