Artwork
Harvesting
Harvesting is a print by John Northcote Nash. It dates from 1946 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The School Prints scheme, which commissioned this work, aimed to introduce contemporary art to school children.
The title of this print is Harvesting, made by John Northcote Nash in 1946.
John Nash was an accomplished printmaker who helped found the Society of Wood Engravers. He created book illustrations for publishers like the Golden Cockerel Press. The School Prints scheme, which commissioned this work, aimed to introduce contemporary art to school children.
This print is part of the collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
Harvesting is a 1946 lithograph by John Nash, created for the School Prints scheme, which aimed to make contemporary art accessible to school children.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a rural harvesting scene, capturing the practical realities of the task while also introducing humorous elements, such as men chasing escaping rabbits.
Technique & Style
Nash, an accomplished printmaker and wood engraver, brought his expertise to the lithograph, creating a detailed and nuanced representation of the scene.
History & Provenance
The print was commissioned by the School Prints scheme, established by Brenda Rawnsley in 1945, and is now part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection.
Context
Nash's move to rural Essex in 1944 influenced his work, and Harvesting reflects his familiarity with the Stour Valley landscape and the activities of rural life.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Northcote Nash (11 April 1893 – 23 September 1977) was a British painter of landscapes and still-lifes, and a wood engraver and illustrator, particularly of botanic works. He was the younger brother of the artist Paul Nash.
