Artwork
Fish Street Hill, E.C.3; showing the base of the Monument, and the steeple of St.Magnus the Martyr
Fish Street Hill, E.C.3; showing the base of the Monument, and the steeple of St.Magnus the Martyr is a watercolor work on paper by Bayes. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Fish Street Hill, E.
About this work
Overview
Fish Street Hill, E.C.3 is a watercolour depicting a historic London street scene, capturing the base of the Monument to the Great Fire of London and the steeple of St. Magnus the Martyr in the background, set amidst everyday urban activity.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a everyday scene on Fish Street Hill, focusing on architectural landmarks (the Monument and St. Magnus' steeple) alongside typical city life elements (a horse-drawn carriage, a butcher's shop, and pedestrians in period attire), preserving a wartime snapshot of British urban identity.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the piece features muted tones and textured brushwork, suggesting a blend of precision in depicting architectural details and a softer, observational approach to capturing human activity and the worn, historic fabric of the buildings.
History & Provenance
Created in 1940 for the 'Recording Britain' project (1940-1943), a Pilgrim Trust-funded initiative directed by Sir Kenneth Clark, aimed at documenting British landscapes and structures during WWII to bolster national identity.
Context
The artwork reflects London's resilient daily life during wartime, juxtaposing historic monuments with ordinary activities, highlighting the project's goal of preserving cultural heritage amidst turmoil.
Legacy
As part of the 'Recording Britain' collection, this watercolour contributes to a comprehensive archive of Britain's wartime landscape, now housed in various national collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist painted watercolours around London in the 1940s. They captured quiet spots like The Gateway at Royal Naval College, Greenwich, The Garden at York House in Twickenham, and London Dock, Wapping. Each sheet…
The Dome of Queen's College, Oxford
St. Dunstan's, Fleet Street
Fifth Avenue, Noon
Flatiron Building
Four-Story House
Covent Garden Opera House; The Colonnade
The Elinor Cross, in Front of Charing Cross Railway Station
Saint Anne's, Soho
Looking up Broad Street from Spruce Street
Broadway, Above Twenty-Third Street
The Market Place, Liège
Charing Cross: The Statue of Charles I