Artwork
The Old Tannery, Strasbourg
The Old Tannery, Strasbourg is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Dugald Sutherland MacColl. It dates from 1927 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The work is signed by the artist and bears the title on a label, indicating its intended identification as a study of the decaying industrial structure.
Dugald Sutherland MacColl’s 1927 watercolour portrays the former tannery situated in Strasbourg. Rendered in a modest palette of greys and browns, the composition captures the building’s expansive, steep‑roofed form, its numerous windows and a protruding balcony. The work is signed by the artist and bears the title on a label, indicating its intended identification as a study of the decaying industrial structure.
Subject & Meaning
The painting documents an aging tannery, a once‑functional industrial site now showing signs of neglect. By emphasizing the weathered façade and the building’s dilapidated condition, MacColl conveys a sense of urban transformation and the passage of time, inviting viewers to reflect on the impermanence of industrial architecture within a historic cityscape.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour with pencil accents, the piece relies on strong linear outlines to define architectural elements. The muted tonal range, dominated by greys and earth tones, reinforces the atmosphere of decay. MacColl’s handling of wash and dry brush creates subtle texture, while the precise drawing of windows and balcony adds structural clarity.
History & Provenance
Created in 1927, the work bears MacColl’s signature and a double inscription of its title, suggesting it was intended for exhibition or documentation. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s own collection before entering museum holdings, where it serves as a visual record of Strasbourg’s industrial heritage during the early twentieth century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Dugald Sutherland MacColl was a Scottish watercolour painter, art critic, lecturer and writer. He was keeper of the Tate Gallery for five years.
