Artwork
Preparing for the Coronation, West Malling, May, 1937.
Preparing for the Coronation, West Malling, May, 1937. is a watercolor work on paper by Hardie. It dates from 1937 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The watercolour *Preparing for the Coronation, West Malling, May, 1937* depicts townspeople hanging bunting on buildings in a square in West Malling.
The watercolour *Preparing for the Coronation, West Malling, May, 1937* depicts townspeople hanging bunting on buildings in a square in West Malling. Created in 1937 and signed by the artist, the work is part of the *Recording Britain* collection, a wartime initiative funded by the Pilgrim Trust to document Britain’s cultural and topographical identity. The scheme, directed by Sir Kenneth Clark, aimed to preserve scenes threatened by urban development, war damage, or changing traditions. Over 1,500 works were produced by 97 artists between 1940 and 1943, focusing on English market towns, rural landscapes, and historic sites.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hardie painted watercolours of quiet corners in 1930s and 1940s England, usually coastal or village scenes with buildings and daily life.
Ashbourne
Towcester High Street from the Pomfret Arms Corner, Northamptonshire
High Street, Southover, looking West
Beaconsfield
Cerne Abbas
Untitled
Old Cottages, Long Crendon
The Butter Cross and Public Buildings, Witney
High Street and Rutland Arms, Newmarket
Old Houses at Abingdon, Berkshire
Shepperton
King's Road, Windsor