7th Oct, 2025 10:00
Modern and Contemporary Art
14
Eric Ravilious (1903-1942)
A letter from Eric Ravilious to Christine Nash, with an illustration of the Cerne Giant
pen and ink and watercolour
17.5 x 13.5cm, unframed
Provenance: Christine Nash;
left to the present owner by Ronald Blythe, the executor of Christine Nash's estate.
This letter was written by Eric Ravilious to Christine Nash on 11 December 1939, while he was staying in Cerne Abbas, Dorset, to paint the Cerne Giant. During the early months of the Second World War, Ravilious created a series of watercolours, including 'The Wilmington Giant', 'The Vale of the White Horse', 'Chalk Figure Near Weymouth' and 'The Westbury White Horse', whilst also researching the chalk figures for a possible book. It was at this time that he was appointed an Official War Artist, and shortly afterwards was assigned to active wartime duties.
On 10 December 1939, Eric Ravilious wrote to his wife, Tirzah, from the New Inn in Cerne Abbas, Dorset: 'The village and the country are lovely, and the Giant all I had expected. It really is a marvellous figure', also mentioning plans to visit the Nashes in London on his way home.
In the letter offered for sale, written the following day, Ravilious asks Christine Nash if he might stay with them for a night and recalls a pleasant lunch with John Nash and Helen Binyon. His illustration of the famous and much-loved Cerne Giant is notably unusual with explicit detailing.
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Great Bardfield - including a single owner collection from a house in Great Bardfield
Browse the selection of lots in our 'Great Bardfield' category, featured in our 7 October 'Modern and Contemporary Art' auction.
£2,000 - £3,000
Buyer's premium: 30.00% (inclusive of VAT, where applicable)
Condition Report
Original horizontal crease to centre. Discolouration and foxing with brown marks to left edge, please refer to illustration. Watercolour appears to be somewhat faded. Deckled right edge.
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Auction: Modern and Contemporary Art, 7th Oct, 2025
Viewing
London Viewing | Highlights
A selection of lots will be on view Tuesday 9 - Friday 26 September at our London Gallery, 15 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ, as follows:
Monday-Friday, 11am - 5.30pm
Saturday - Closed
Sunday - Closed
For more information, please contact 0203 971 2500 | london@sworder.co.uk
Stansted Viewing | Auction
Viewing will be held at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE, as follows:
Friday 3 October, 10am - 5pm
Sunday 5 October, 10am - 1pm
Monday 6 October, 10am - 5pm
All lots are, however, extensively illustrated and carry detailed condition reports - see 'Condition report' at the foot of each lot description.
The auction will take place at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE.
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