Description

John Ward RA
Worcester College from the Gardens, Oxford Almanack

Lithograph
75 x 50 cm

A lithograph featuring a lovely view of Worcester College, Oxford, from the gardens.

John Ward’s watercolour was reproduced as a lithograph in 1974, to be published in the “Oxford Almanack”. The Oxford Almanack was an annual almanac published by the Oxford University Press for the University of Oxford from 1674 through 2019 (when printing sadly ceased due to “dwindling interest”). The almanac traditionally included engravings or lithographs of the University and information about the upcoming year. Other almanac artists have included James Basire, Michael Burghers, J. M. W. Turner, and Michael Oelman.

John Ward RA (1917–2007) was a celebrated British portraitist, illustrator, and painter known for his refined draughtsmanship and elegant, traditional style. Trained at the Royal College of Art, he gained early recognition for his portraits, particularly of literary and aristocratic figures, and became one of Britain’s most sought-after society portrait painters. A gifted illustrator, he also worked extensively in publishing and advertising, bringing a graceful charm to everything from book jackets to fashion sketches. Elected a Royal Academician in 1966, Ward’s work is admired for its technical precision, wit, and timeless sensitivity to character and form.