Artwork
Caldwall Bridge and Lock on the Stafford and Worcester Canal near Kidderminster
Caldwall Bridge and Lock on the Stafford and Worcester Canal near Kidderminster is a watercolor work on paper by Osmond Hick Bissell. It dates from 1942 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Caldwall Bridge and Lock on the Stafford and Worcester Canal near Kidderminster is a 1942 watercolour by Osmond Hick Bissell, created under the Recording Britain project. The work captures a serene canal scene, contrasting a warm-toned bridge with a lush, green landscape and subtle water reflections.
Subject & Meaning
The painting documents a traditional British canal landscape, reflecting the project's goal to preserve visual records of vulnerable aspects of national life and identity during World War II. The serene depiction contrasts with the wartime context, emphasizing endurance of natural beauty.
Technique & Style
Bissell employed watercolour to convey softness and delicacy, highlighting the natural beauty of the setting. The medium's transparency and fluidity capture the play of light on water, adding depth and a sense of gentle movement to the otherwise tranquil composition.
History & Provenance
Commissioned by the Committee for the Employment of Artists in Wartime, funded by the Pilgrim Trust, and directed by Sir Kenneth Clark, this work is part of a collection of over 1,500 pieces by 97 artists aimed at sustaining artistic practice during wartime.
Context
Created amid concerns over wartime destruction, urban expansion, and agricultural changes, the painting is part of a broader effort to record threatened British landscapes and urban scenes, contributing to a national visual archive.
Artist & collection
Artist
Osmond Hick Bissell painted quiet English canals in watercolour in 1942. He shows Wolverley Court Bridge, Caldwall Bridge near Kidderminster, Mill Street Lock, and the basin at Stourport—all calm, detailed views of…
