A nostalgic view of the high street from the recent past may be found in an exhibition of the work of Eric Ravilious and Edward Ardizzone at The Fergus Madden Gallery in Stanford Dingley, near Reading. These original lithographs, drawn from the 1930s and 1940s, were created by two artists who depict everyday town life and vividly recall this era. The images offer a fascinating contrast in style and substance.

Eric Ravilious (1903-1942) was a romantic figure. He was taught by Paul Nash and was closely associated with Edward Bawden with whom he formed the nucleus of a group of artists working at Great Bardfield in Essex. He was an outstanding painter, but is perhaps better known as a graphic artist. He produced several important series of lithographs and wood engravings. He was, moreover, a notable designer of ceramics.

There is a dream-like quality to many of his works, which links him to Palmer and the 19th-century Romantics, and also to his teacher, Nash, with whom he shares the ability to make quite ordinary objects shine with special and enigmatic meaning. He was a War Artist, loved flying and was tragically killed in an Arctic expedition in 1942. The exhibition offers us a view of the high street as it used to be, with hams (pictured) and wedding cakes and from which each town drew so much of its character.

Edward Ardizzone (1900-1979) is well known as an illustrator of books, and he is perhaps best known for the Tim' series of books - classics of children's literature. He was also a War Artist, and there are examples of his work in various public collections, including the Imperial War Museum and the Tate.

His works are graphic in quality with a vigorous flowing line and many rounded shapes. He was a keen observer of human nature, and his images are full of humour and of sympathy for mankind - more in the spirit of Rowlandson than of Gillray. The present exhibition of lithographs depicts a splendid array of London watering holes and their clientele, including the Spread Eagl.

The exhibition will be held at the Fergus Madden Gallery, in Stanford Dingley, Berkshire, on Saturday and Sunday, December 1 and 2, and Saturday, December 8, between midday and 6pm, Wine and mince pies will be served. Ring Fergus Madden on 01189744654 for directions.