THE hunt is on to find the lost artworks of one of the Essex’s most important artistic minds.

Eric Ravilious, one of the most admired and popular British artists of the 20th century, famously lived in Great Bardfield as well as Castle Hedingham in the Thirties.

Throughout his career, Ravilious produced a remarkable number of watercolour paintings.

Although 250 are known to experts, it is believed about 40 are lying undiscovered or uncatalogued in collections around the world.

New publishing company Hedingham Press wants to publish the definitive catalogue of Ravilious’ watercolour works and has issued an appeal for the public’s help to find the missing pieces of the puzzle.

James Russell, is one of the founders of Hedingham Press and an expert on Ravilious watercolour paintings.

He said: “They might be held in private collections – even, possibly, public collections – in the UK, Canada, Australia or New Zealand.

“Ravilious spent his last days in Iceland, so that is also a possibility.

“We do believe they are out there. Our mission is to find and catalogue all of the Ravilious watercolours in the world and produce the definitive book featuring them.

“We are appealing to anyone who has, or think they might have, a “lost” Ravilious watercolour to get in touch and help us complete this ambitious project.”

Ravilious was one of several members of the British art community to live in Great Bardfield during the 30s.

He moved to the village after studying at the Royal College of Art, London and spent several years lodging in houses with his contemporaries.