Prehistoric Encounter by British artist Tirzah Garwood at the Towner Eastbourne, East Sussex.

In the summer of 1950, Garwood moved to a nursing home in Essex as she needed full-time care. Her second husband Henry Swanzy described in his diary in June:

“There was an orange-yellow frog she wanted to draw, and she and Anne [her daughter] spent half an hour rounding it up in a box hedge. Her eyes had the intense and concentrated expression I have seen sometimes when she is painting, an absorption I have seen in no other human creature! Swanzy had also bought her a tortoise in Colchester and Garwood depicted them meeting under the moon in between prehistoric mare’s tail plants.

From Wikipedia:

Eileen Lucy “Tirzah” Garwood (11 April 1908 – 27 March 1951) was a British wood-engraver, painter, paper marbler, author, and a member of the Great Bardfield Artists.

According to Brighton & Hove Museums, Garwood “is one of the most original and distinctive figures of twentieth century British art.” Her work is known for depicting people, places and animals in domestic scenes “caught in a fleeting moment”. Her style is praised for its touches of humour and eccentricity.

Garwood was married to the artist Eric Ravilious. They collaborated on some projects together, most notably the mural at the Midland Hotel, Morecambe. Garwood’s autobiography was titled ‘Long Live Great Bardfield & Love to You All’.

During her time with the Great Bardfield Artists, Garwood worked with Charlotte Bawden in creating exquisite marbled papers, some of which are now in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Object description
Type: Easel painting
Location: Towner Eastbourne, East Sussex
Material: Oil on canvas
Artist: Tirzah Garwood (1908–1951)
Date: 1950

Image Details
Date: 1 July 2026
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Wide Camera 26mm ƒ/1.8
Focal Length: 26mm
Aperture: ƒ/1.8
Shutter Speed: 1/25s
ISO: 500
Licensing: Image of a Towner Eastbourne asset. This image cannot be licensed.