Artwork
Ashburnham Park; looking into the Weald towards Brightling
Ashburnham Park; looking into the Weald towards Brightling is a watercolor work on paper by Alfred Hayward. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Ashburnham Park; looking into the Weald towards Brightling is a watercolour painting by Alfred Hayward, created in 1940 as part of the Recording Britain project.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a serene rural landscape in Sussex, with rolling hills, rows of trees, and a narrow path or road leading into the distance. The scene conveys a sense of calm and tranquility, capturing the topography of the English countryside during a time of wartime concern.
Technique & Style
Hayward's use of loose, sketchy brushstrokes and muted colours creates a dreamy atmosphere, suggesting depth and light in the landscape. The soft, pale sky and gentle colours contribute to the overall calm feel of the scene.
History & Provenance
The painting was produced under the Recording Britain scheme, initiated by Sir Kenneth Clark to support artists and document the nation's topography during World War II. It is one of over 1,500 artworks created by 97 artists as part of this effort.
Context
The work reflects the broader efforts during World War II to record places perceived as vulnerable to damage or modernization, preserving traditional British art forms and documenting the nation's cultural heritage.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alfred Hayward painted quiet English landscapes in watercolour during the early 1940s.
Pewsey Vale and Fir Trees from Martinsell
View from Calne Golf Course near Heddington
Looking towards Bury from the North of the city
The Southdown, Underhill Road; Wolstonbury, showing Danny Farm
Fynsk landskab. Forår
Sketch of a wooded landscape viewed from Gwaynynog, Denbigh
Landscape with road in flat country
Eton Chapel from Windsor
The ruins of a Cowdray House
Gadshill, from the Three Crutches on the Gravesend - Rochester Road
Arundel Park