EH Shepard, House of Illustration ★★★★★

EH Shepard is one of the most loved illustrators of the 20th century, with his adorable drawings of Hundred Acre Wood and the adventures of that honey-loving bear Winnie the Pooh. But, however, it is not these, nor EH Shepard's evocative illustrations from Wind of the Willows that the House of Illustration focusses on, but the gritty and satirical sketches from the First World War.
House of Illustration exhibition
Serving in the Royal Artillery, Shepard captured the horrors of the Western Front and in Italy in over a hundred intricate drawings. You'll find technical drawings, personal sketches and unpublished correspondence all on display in this astonishing show that flips Shepard's legacy on its head. Some of these - especially the illustrations from he front line sent to satirical magazine Punch and one harrowing cartoon from 1915 of children playing at 'gas attack' in their living rooms, breathtakingly evolves the spirit of the war.
This small exhibition in London is kid friendly, but not those looking to revel in the hundred acre wood. It's adult in its topic and features a recorded message from Ian Hislop on his favourite sketches that's well worth listening to.