Artwork
On the Walls, Lucca
On the Walls, Lucca is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Henry Herbert Bulman. It dates from 1923 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Henry Herbert Bulman’s 1923 watercolour, *On the Walls, Lucca*, presents a fragment of the Tuscan town of Lucca. A line of slender trees occupies the foreground, while the historic stone buildings and terracotta roofs recede beyond them, capped by a distant clock tower. The artist’s signature appears on the work, confirming its authorship.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures a quiet corner of Lucca, where a grove of trees partially conceals the aged urban fabric. The interplay of light and shadow across the foliage and stone suggests a moment of stillness, evoking the leisurely atmosphere of a summer day in the Italian countryside.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the painting employs loose, impressionistic brushwork and a vivid palette. Bold strokes render the trees’ dark‑green leaves and the warm tones of the buildings, while the translucent washes convey atmospheric depth and the dappled light that filters onto the ground.
History & Provenance
Created in 1923, the work is signed by Bulman, an English artist known for his depictions of European scenes. The piece remains part of the artist’s documented output from the early twentieth century, reflecting his interest in travel and the visual character of historic towns.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henry Herbert Bulman painted quiet English landscapes and Italian city scenes in watercolor during the 1920s.
