An original woodcut engraving by artist John O’Connor from 1998. Signed in plate but also signed and dated in pencil. The engraving has dashes of colour added with watercolour paint. This was possibly an artist’s proof or at least a very limited printing direct from the block.

John O’Connor was born in Leicester in 1913. Showing a talent from a young age, he went on to study at the Royal College of Art from 1933 through to 1937. His teachers included Eric Ravilious, John Nash and Robert Austin. Ravilious had a very notable impact on O’Connor and it was from him that he quickly developed a love for wood engraving. With help from Ravilious, at the age of 23, O’Connor received his first commission to illustrate ‘Here’s Flowers’ for the Golden Cockerel Press in 1937. After the war, O’Connor became head of the Colchester School of Art in 1948. He was affectionately known as ‘Joc’ to his students (often signing his wood engravings such). His colleagues included John Nash, and Edward Bawden. In the 1950s and 60s, O’Connor exhibited at the Zwemmer Gallery, in London, and had many exhibitions throughout Britain. His work was purchased by the Arts Council, the Tate Gallery, the British Museum and the Contemporary Art Society.

The engraving is in a folded card mount, the mount has some age related marks and tanning but the engraving itself is in good condition.

The engraving plate alone measures 6" x 5" (15.5cm x 12.5cm). With an aperture of 4" x 3" (10cm x 8cm). The mount measures 19.5cm x 15.5cm.