James Edward Bostock studied in Rochester and at the Royal College of Art. He painted primarily with watercolors but also worked as a wood engraver and etcher. After World War II, in which he served in Turkey and the Middle East, he was regarded as a modernist who created semi-abstract sculptures and paintings. Starting in 1946 he also worked as a teacher in art schools. In 1956 he was severely injured in a traffic accident and it took two years until he was able to work again. The woodcut Sport on the Common was produced for the art competitions in 1948 in the format 14.0 x 21.5 cm. No series was printed, just a few prints.