Artwork
Prior's Hall Barn, Widdington
Prior's Hall Barn, Widdington is a watercolor work on paper by H. E. Du Plessis. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This watercolour shows Prior’s Hall Barn, an old medieval barn in Essex. The artist, H. E. Du Plessis, painted it around 1940. You can see the sturdy brown roof from the outside, but not the amazing timber inside.
The barn is one of the best left in southeast England. After the war, English Heritage bought it and fixed it up.
Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
Prior's Hall Barn, Widdington, is depicted in this watercolour, highlighting its status as a well-preserved medieval aisled barn in northwest Essex, southeast England.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork focuses on the barn's exterior, showcasing its robust brown post roof while subtly alluding to the intricate timberwork within, which remains largely unseen.
Technique & Style
Executed by H. E. Du Plessis circa 1940, the watercolour employs a restrained palette, emphasizing the structure's rustic, earthy tones, particularly the dominant brown of the roof.
History & Provenance
Following World War II, the barn was acquired and restored by English Heritage, ensuring its preservation. The watercolour itself is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
A South Wales watercolor artist active around 1940, H. E. Du Plessis painted the everyday buildings and lanes of Glamorganshire. Brush in hand, he recorded places like the low stone Jesus Hospital in Bray and the…
