Artwork
River Brain, Witham
River Brain, Witham 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 a quiet Essex scene by the River Brain near Witham. Painted around 1940, it mixes old cottages with modern phone lines. The artist worked outdoors, leaving ragged paper edges where it tore from a sketchbook.
Du Plessis didn’t hide the changes around him. While others smoothed over progress, he kept the wires visible.
Look up the artist next: Du Plessis, H. E.
Overview
River Brain, Witham is a watercolour painting depicting a serene Essex landscape along the River Brain, near the historic town of Witham. Created around 1940, the piece balances traditional and modern elements.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures an idyllic pastoral scene with old cottages, yet contrasts this tranquility with visible signs of modernization, notably telephone poles and wires, reflecting the artist's choice to acknowledge contemporary changes.
Technique & Style
Executed on site, the watercolour retains a ragged edge from being torn from a sketchbook, offering a glimpse into the artist's spontaneous, outdoor working method. The style blends observational accuracy with a subtle acceptance of industrial intrusion.
History & Provenance
Painted circa 1940 by H. E. Du Plessis, this work diverges from some of his contemporaries in the Recording Britain project by openly incorporating modern infrastructure into the landscape.
Context
Part of the broader Recording Britain initiative, which aimed to document the country's landscapes during wartime, River Brain, Witham stands out for its honest portrayal of rural evolution amidst national upheaval.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of River Brain, Witham are not extensively documented, its approach to blending tradition and modernity reflects a broader artistic response to England's changing landscape during the early 20th century.
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…
