Staircase, Burlington House

Bayes employed loose, fluid watercolour techniques to convey movement and immediacy. Figures are suggested with minimal detail, while architectural elements are defined with restrained lines and soft washes. Contrasting accents of red, blue, and yellow draw attention without overwhelming the muted tonality of the setting, reinforcing the sense of a fleeting, observed moment rather than a polished composition.

Commissioned by the Committee for the Employment of Artists in Wartime and funded by the Pilgrim Trust, this work was one of over 1,500 produced between 1940 and 1943 by 97 artists. The project aimed to preserve visual records of Britain’s built environment during wartime disruption. Bayes’s contribution was part of this collective effort to document the nation’s physical and cultural landscape under stress.

During the Second World War, many British landmarks faced threats from bombing and neglect. 'Recording Britain' emerged as a cultural preservation initiative, shifting focus from heroic narratives to the quiet resilience of everyday spaces. This watercolour reflects a broader national effort to affirm identity through the observation of ordinary architecture and public life.

The 'Recording Britain' collection, including Bayes’s work, remains a vital historical archive held by the Victoria and Albert Museum. These watercolours offer a nuanced record of Britain’s architectural heritage during a period of profound change. They continue to inform studies of wartime culture, artistic response, and the role of art in societal memory.