Fry Art Gallery scoops Eric Ravilious Caravans from Sussex surroundings which inspired him

A “supernatural” watercolour by Eric Ravilious showing the caravans which became his temporary home and studio during the early 1930s has been bought by the Fry Art Gallery in Saffron Walden.

Caravans shows the vehicles parked near a remote cottage at Glynde, in Sussex, where he was visiting fellow artist Peggy Angus. Ravilious admitted that the Sussex landscape was instrumental in changing the way he painted and his use of colour, frequently returning to capture the landscape visible in cool greens and dark browns in this work.

The acquisition, funded with “a substantial grant” from the Art Fund, represents the first time the painting has changed hands since Ravilious sold it in 1936. Silhouettes and murky greys descend around the caravans, which were used in the Boer War before being bought by the artist from the manager of a cement works for 15 shillings each. They remained on the Mount Caburn site until they collapsed during the mid 1950s.

“Caravans is a fascinating watercolour, and its personal subject matter makes it even more powerful,” said Art Fund Director Stephen Deuchar.

“We’re delighted it’s going on public display, helping tie together the lives of some of the artists represented at the gallery.”
 
The Essex gallery is renowned for its strong collection of works by Ravilious, and Caravans will join a range of watercolours and other works by the artist in Ravilious in Essex, an exhibition featuring scenes from North-West Essex captured during the final 11 years of his life.

• Ravilious in Essex opens on April 24 2011.