Edward Bawden studied at the Royal College of Art, where he and his close friend and contemporary Eric Ravilious were both taught by Paul Nash, who encouraged their interest in English landscape and topography. Following Ravilious's early death in 1942, Bawden continued to explore these themes, becoming increasingly interested in recording aspects of British vernacular art and architecture. His big, bold and decorative colour prints made from lino-blocks did much to popularise a medium that had not previously enjoyed a high artistic status.