Artwork
The River Coln at Bibury
The River Coln at Bibury is a watercolor work on paper by Bissill. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The River Coln at Bibury is a 1940 watercolour painting depicting a serene riverside scene in Gloucestershire, characterized by muted tones and a sense of calm.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures a quiet moment at the River Coln, with a bare tree, arched bridge, cottages, and ducks, collectively conveying a sense of peaceful national heritage amidst wartime.
Technique & Style
Executed in soft greens, browns, grays, and a hint of blue, the work features light, loose brushstrokes to evoke movement in water and foliage, reflecting a spontaneous, observational approach.
History & Provenance
Commissioned for the Recording Britain collection, a Pilgrim Trust-funded initiative led by Sir Kenneth Clark, the painting aimed to document and preserve Britain's landscape and identity during World War II.
Context
Created during the early 1940s, the piece responds to the wartime concern for preserving traditional landscapes and art forms perceived as vulnerable to destruction or change.
Legacy
As part of the Recording Britain collection, the painting contributes to a broader archival and artistic legacy, with similar works found in institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist created watercolors of English villages around 1940. They painted Quenington Village, The Village Way in Winson, Lechlade, The River Coln at Bibury, and Old Cottage in Ibthorpe. Close your eyes and picture…
A bridge over a stream, with a cottage behind
Stream with bridge and cottages
Reflections in a Wooded Pool
Milford Bridge, with a distant view of Salisbury
Hangleton Manor, near Brighton
Brecon Town and Bridge
Mill at Mapledurham (?) on the Thames
Aylesford Bridge
Leixlip on the Liffey
Old Houses at Harnham Bridge, Salisbury
Dalham (the footbridge)
Bishop Gate Bridge, Norwich