Robert Gibbings was a significant figure in the British wood engraving revival during the first half of the 20th century. Works such as The Sun Bather show his talent with the medium. He is noted particularly for his economical use of line. Gibbings studied wood engraving under Noel Rooke at the Central School of Art, London around 1912. After serving in the First World War he began working as an illustrator. In 1924 he bought the Golden Cockerel Press, which employed many of the leading British wood engravers of the day as illustrators. Golden Cockerel Press publications are seen as a highpoint in British 20th century book design.

An illustration from issue 3 of 'Sun Bathing Review', 1933