Beachy Head Lighthouse - Belle Tout 1939 by Eric Ravilious
 
This 1939 water colour of the Belle Tout Lighthouse painted from within the lantern is one of his most interesting compositions. This lighthouse is situated on the cliffs between Birling Gap and Beachy Head outside Eastbourne in East Sussex and Ravilious no doubt visited this beautiful spot as a child. Belle Tout Lighthouse was replaced by the more modern Beachy Head Lighthouse at the foot of the cliffs in the 1930's and so it was turned into a private house instead. The new lighthouse is visible from the window here, and this scene is similar to another Ravilious painting 'Beachy Head', a limited edition print of which is also available here.