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John Ward trained at Hereford School of Art and then at the RCA from
1936-39 and 1946-47 - in the intervening WW2 years he served in the
Royal Engineers. In the late 40s and early 50s Ward worked for Vogue,
producing fashion sketches and interior designs. He has a great fondness
for antiques, and felt particularly attached to the illustrative artists
of the 1860s, at times aligning his own work with theirs. Ward was famed
for his portraits as well as for his architectural drawings, both of
which ideally suit his elegant yet enchanting veracity. He also illustrated
Laurie Lee's classic Cider With Rosie, 1959. There is always a captivating
stillness in his finest work which is present in this charming pencil
drawing of a young girl quietly reading, captured in a tranquil and
composed mood.
As an illustrator Ward is famous for remarking that 'an illustration
should be a diagram that makes a point'. In keeping with such an expression
of simplicity, Ward's book illustrations give the impression of being
spontaneous sketches, drawn in pencil or pen and ink with a fluent,
controlled hand.
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Original Dust-Jacket Designs for the
Little Kingdom By Richard Church (unpublished)
pen and ink and watercolour on paper
two variants, with lettering by the artist
Inscribed: 'Easter Sunday, 1966, Dear Richard, Some wall paper for your
new home! I came across these attempts at jackets and wondered whether
you would like to have them. Please one day let us do another book together.
Saturday lunch was such fun. Much love Alison & John."
1964
framed as one.
21 x 32.5 and 21 x 31 cm. (each, image); 21 x 63 cm.; 8 1/4 x 25' (image
total size).
The designs were not used on the book, a copy of the first edition, 1964
with illustrations and the final dust-jacket designed by John Ward is
included with the drawings.
SOLD
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