Edward Bawden discovered his love of art at an early age. He went on to study at the School of Art in Cambridge and later at the Design School of the Royal College of Art under Paul Nash. Bawden showed great skill as a student and was commissioned by Sir Joseph Duveen to paint a mural at Morley College with a fellow student, Eric Ravilious. On graduating he took on many commissions from publishers working on book illustrations, cover designs, posters and advertisements for companies which included Shell-Mex, Westminster Bank and the London Transport Museum. After World War II broke out he served as an Official War Artist with the British Army in Belgium, France and the Middle East. Towards the end of his career, Bawden had become well known for his graphic design, linocuts and large-scale mural paintings.