Ravilious

To the local arts society this evening for a talk on the artist, Eric Ravilious (1903-42). He is one of my favourites and I have Blipped a photo of a couple of his pictures from WW2. He was a war artist who painted the mundane and behind the scenes activities, rather than full on battles.

Sadly he disappeared on duty in 1942. He was in Iceland on a posting at a coastal airbase. From this strategic position the Hudson aircraft of 269 squadron provided air cover for allied convoys. On 1 September, the day he arrived, a Hudson failed to return from a mission, and when three planes took off at dawn the next day to search for survivors Ravilious went too. In the event his aircraft also disappeared and a subsequent four day search proved fruitless.

He died aged 39, leaving a wife and three young children.

But he has left a stunning legacy of work.

So this is a diary Blip rather than an arty photo effort.