‘Design with Steps’ Wood Engraving by Paul Nash

Original wood engraving by Paul Nash (1925). From an edition of 45. This is one of the trial proofs taken from the original block in the V & A by Ian Mortimer for Garton and Cooke in 1985.

‘This is similar to the abstract design ‘Decoration: Ferns’ in Welchman’s Hose. It is possible that it was conceived as a pattern paper design, although when repeated it lacks the subtle visual rhythms of Nash’s other pattern papers. Nor does it include a partial pattern repeat within the block.’