Linoleum was originally developed in the 1860s as a hard-wearing floor covering. It consists of: powdered cork, wood flour, ground limestone, linseed oil, pigments, dessicants and wood resins – all compressed and bound onto a hessian or jute fabric backing. It is relatively easy to cut and incise in any direction. It can also be surface etched with a caustic soda solution. It was first used as a printing medium in the early 20th century, then in the 1920s and 30s by Claude Flight and his students at the Grosvenor School, succeeded by many other artists including Picasso, Michael Rothenstein, Edward Bawden and David Hockney.
