Artwork
Winchcombe Pottery (exterior), Gloucestershire
Winchcombe Pottery (exterior), Gloucestershire is a watercolor work on paper by Thomas Hennell. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Thomas Hennell's 1940 watercolour, *Winchcombe Pottery (exterior)*, captures a serene scene of a Gloucestershire pottery's exterior, contrasting with the wartime context of its creation.
Subject & Meaning
The painting focuses on the server workshop of Winchcombe Pottery, highlighting stacks of clay flowerpots in the foreground and a brick kiln chimney in the background, documenting a specific aspect of British industry during WWII.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the work features warm, earthy tones for the building's facade and lush greens for the garden, with textured brushstrokes suggesting rustic charm and peacefulness.
History & Provenance
Commissioned as part of the *Recording Britain* collection, this piece was funded by the Pilgrim Trust and overseen by Sir Kenneth Clark, aiming to preserve images of British life and landscapes during the Second World War.
Context
Created amidst wartime, the painting offers a tranquil, idyllic portrayal, contrasting with the turmoil of the time, and reflecting the collection's goal to document enduring British heritage.
Artist & collection
Artist
Thomas Hennell was a British artist and writer who specialised in illustrations and essays on the subject of the British countryside.
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