Who painted The Shelter, Bedford Square, London, WC1?

The Shelter, Bedford Square, London, WC1 was painted by Phyllis Dimond in 1943.

Where can I see The Shelter, Bedford Square, London, WC1?

The Shelter, Bedford Square, London, WC1 is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is The Shelter, Bedford Square, London, WC1?

The Shelter, Bedford Square, London, WC1 is associated with Social Realism.

Artwork

The Shelter, Bedford Square, London, WC1

Phyllis Dimond , 1943

The Shelter, Bedford Square, London, WC1 is a watercolor work on paper by the Social Realist artist Phyllis Dimond. It dates from 1943 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The Shelter, Bedford Square, London, WC1 is a watercolour painting by Phyllis Dimond, created as part of the Recording Britain project during World War II.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a small, ornately carved wooden pavilion, known as the Pagoda, in a quiet courtyard. The structure features wooden benches and muted green walls, surrounded by brick buildings and bare trees.

Technique & Style

Dimond's use of simple shapes and soft colours conveys a sense of calm. The watercolour's gentle rendering emphasizes the pavilion's garden-like or park-like character.

History & Provenance

The Recording Britain project, funded by the Pilgrim Trust and directed by Sir Kenneth Clark, employed artists to document Britain's cultural sites and landscape. Over 1,500 works were produced by 97 artists across England.

Context

The project aimed to preserve a record of places and traditions perceived as vulnerable to wartime changes and urban development.