Artwork
The Cricket Green, Great Bentley
The Cricket Green, Great Bentley is a watercolor work on paper by Walter Bayes. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Walter Bayes painted a quiet cricket match on Great Bentley’s huge village green in 1940.
Walter Bayes painted a quiet cricket match on Great Bentley’s huge village green in 1940. This 43-acre green has hosted cricket since the 1700s, and Bayes shows one side of it. The spot stays much the same today, with the church tower still standing.
You can see the game and the green’s familiar landmarks in soft watercolour. The scene feels like a snapshot from long ago, yet it’s still real now.
Look next at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
Walter Bayes's 1940 watercolour, 'The Cricket Green, Great Bentley', depicts a serene cricket match in progress on the expansive 43-acre village green of Great Bentley, Essex, a setting largely unchanged to this day.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork captures a quintessential English village scene, emphasizing continuity and tradition through the longstanding presence of cricket (played here since the 18th century) and the enduring landmark of St Mary the Virgin Church's tower.
Technique & Style
Executed in soft watercolour, the piece conveys a sense of timeless tranquility, blending the everyday activity of a village cricket match with the picturesque, unaltered landscape.
History & Provenance
Painted in 1940, the watercolour reflects a moment of normalcy amidst wartime. Its current location is noted as the Victoria and Albert Museum, though the full provenance history is not detailed here.
Context
Created during World War II, the painting offers a nostalgic portrayal of English rural life, untouched by the conflict, highlighting the green as a symbol of national heritage and stability.
Legacy
While specific legacy details are not provided, the painting's depiction of an unchanging England contributes to its appeal as a historical snapshot of village life, preserved for posterity.
Artist & collection
Artist
Walter John Bayes was an English painter and illustrator who was a founder member of both the Camden Town Group and the London Group and also a renowned art teacher and critic.
