‘Abstract Composition’ Wood Engraving by Paul Nash

Original wood engraving by Paul Nash. 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. From an edition of 45.

‘A fascinating design which indicates the importance Nash attached to shapes as metaphors for associated images. Here a triangular wedge divides the land and the sea, while two further triangles simultaneously bridge the gap. The image of the triangle suggests both mountain and wave, while the central circular shape evokes both sun and moon completing the cosmic associations, or as Sir Thomas Browne puts it in Urne Buriall it shows “how nature Geometrizeth and observeth order in all things”.’