Famed for his imaginative transformations of the art and imagery of the past, and the subject of our new book, Eric Ravilious’ reputation continues to grow.

Eric Ravilious (1903-42) is now one of the most popular artists of his period. A painter of watercolours and murals, as well as a book illustrator in wood engraving and lithography, he also famously designed transfer-ware pottery for Wedgewood. Ravilious adopted a dry and precise style of working to imaginative and romantic subject matters. In 1940 he became an Official War Artist, where he created memorable pictures of ships, aircraft and coastal defences before his tragic death in a flying accident off Iceland.

This month we publish Eric Ravilious: Imagined Realities, which is the most comprehensive account of Ravilious’ career to date. The book includes many previously unpublished paintings and illustrations, photographs, sketches, letters and other documents, again previously unpublished. Below we have created a gallery of Ravilious’ work, demonstrating the wide range of his artistic activities.

Personally, we’re a big fan of his illustrations, but don’t let us influence you. As always, let us know what you think.

Click a thumbnail to begin.

Greenwich Pier, c.1935, watercolour on paper, 19 x 26.6cm, London’s Transport Museum

Greenwich Observatory, c.1935, watercolour on paper, 19 x 26.6cm, London’s Transport Museum

Trade card for Dunbar Hay, 1937

High Street (cover). Written by J. M. Richards, Lithograph, published by Country Life, 1938

Eric and Tirzah Ravilious painting the Morecambe mural, 1933

Design for a mug to commemorate the coronation of Edward VIII 1936, pencil and wash, Victoria & Albert Museum

Design for a mug to commemorate the coronation of Edward VIII 1936, pencil and wash, Victoria & Albert Museum

Design for Wedgwood, ‘Alphabet’ Mug, 1937, watercolour on paper

‘Afternoon Tea’ patterns on various bone china items, 1938, Wedgwood Pattern book, entry W3494

‘Barlaston’ Mug, 1939, Wedgwood Pattern book entry

‘Boat Race Day’ bowl 1938, Wedgwood Pattern book, entry CL6263

‘Boat Race Day’ vase 1938, Wedgwood Pattern book entry CL6263

Pavilion of the United Kingdom, catalogue cover for Paris International Exhibition 1937

Watercolour tester, Private collection

Design for textile, showing buildings at Castle Hedingham, 1941. Private collection

Commander of a Submarine looking through a Periscope, ‘Submarine Series’ 1941, lithographs on paper, 280 x 320mm, Imperial War Museum

The Ward Room (1), ‘Submarine Series’ 1941, lithographs on paper, 280 x 320mm, Imperial War Museum

Testing Davis Apparatus, ‘Submarine Series’ 1941, lithographs on paper, 280 x 320mm, Imperial War Museum

Different Aspects of Submarines, ‘Submarine Series’ 1941, lithographs on paper, 280 x 320mm, Imperial War Museum

‘They do not reach Germany’, rough for a propaganda design, possibly for the Department of Overseas Trade, c.1940–41, watercolour, 102 x 149mm

‘Industrial strength since the last war’, rough for a propaganda design, possibly for the Department of Overseas Trade, c.1940–41, watercolour, 102 x 149mm

All images are taken from Alan Powers’ Eric Ravilious: Imagined Realities, which includes over 100 colour and 20 mono illustrations.