Artwork
Backs of Houses, Chester Square, S.W.1.
Backs of Houses, Chester Square, S.W.1. is a watercolor work on paper by the Social Realist artist Ediss. It dates from 1941 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Backs of Houses, Chester Square, S.
About this work
Overview
Backs of Houses, Chester Square, S.W.1. is a 1941 watercolour by Ediss, created as part of the Recording Britain project.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the rear facades of residential buildings in Chester Square, London, capturing an everyday London neighborhood scene during wartime. It shows a quiet street corner with old buildings, a stone staircase, and a narrow alley.
Technique & Style
The watercolour features loose brushstrokes and soft colors, giving it a sketch-like quality. The artist's approach conveys a sense of immediacy and informality.
History & Provenance
The work was produced under the Recording Britain project, a wartime initiative led by Sir Kenneth Clark to document the British landscape and built environment. It is one of over 1,500 works created by 97 artists between 1940 and 1943.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ediss painted London’s quiet streets and squares in delicate watercolours during the early 1940s.
