‘Poppies and Downs by Kingston, near Lewes in East Sussex’ by Robert Tavener RE (English, 1920-2004) | October 1972 | Coloured linocut | Signed | Elected ARE 1966, RE 1973

Whether images of boats, Buckingham Palace guardsmen in their distinctive bearskin helmets, English cathedrals or rolling landscapes, Robert Tavener's original prints are varied, rhythmical and colourful. In 1997 Tavener described his prints as representing: “English Countryside and English architecture. Shape, pattern, colour, texture, design. In other words, my subject matter is a personal interpretation of the richness, variety, beauty, and the underlying relationship with the past, of our landscape and buildings”.

Much of Tavener’s work celebrates the sinuous lines of the South Downs and Sussex countryside depicted in lithographs, linocuts, woodcuts and screenprints. Tavener was Head of Printmaking at Eastbourne College of Art from 1953, later becoming Vice-Principal until his retirement in 1980. Tavener lived, for 50 years, in the same home in Eastbourne at the foot of the South Downs, within a landscape that inspired many of his distinctive prints.

Edward Twohig RE (Fellow)

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