JOHN CRAXTON, R.A. (1922-2009)

Sir Nicholas Goodison commented: ‘This drawing of a reaper, presumably returning home after a long day, a sheaf under his art and his sickle echoing the crescent moon, has parallels in other works of 1944-45 and repeats the theme of a lonely figure in a landscape from other and earlier drawings. Craxton explained that he used to paint many landscapes with poets or shepherds which were entirely imaginary and that in addition to being projections of himself they were derived from Blake and Palmer. The dark blue wash echoes other drawings and pictures of 1944, not least Dark Landscape (Tate Gallery), an oil painting which Craxton thought too dark but Peter Watson admired for its “gas-flame” blue.’

We are very grateful to Ian Collins and Richard Riley for their assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.