Artwork
Tithe Barn and Dove House, Hurley
Tithe Barn and Dove House, Hurley is a watercolor work on paper by Philip Hussey. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Tithe Barn and Dove House, Hurley is a 1940 watercolour by Hussey, depicting a 14th-century dovecote and tithe barn in Hurley, Berkshire. Characterized by loose brushstrokes and a soft, pale sky, the work captures a serene countryside scene with two historic wooden buildings, a figure on the path, and surrounding foliage.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a pair of medieval buildings in Hurley: a tithe barn with a steep, dark roof and small tower, and a shorter dovecote with a green door. A solitary figure, partially engaged with an unspecified small object, adds a sense of quiet activity to the scene.
Technique & Style
Hussey employed expressive, quick brushstrokes to convey light and shadow, with varying levels of detail across the composition. The palette is subdued, featuring a notably soft and pale sky that subtly merges with the background, enhancing the overall sense of tranquility.
History & Provenance
Created in 1940 for the Recording Britain scheme, this watercolour was part of a wartime initiative led by Sir Kenneth Clark, aiming to document England's national heritage through art amidst WWII. The scheme was funded by the Pilgrim Trust and operated under the Ministry of Labour and National Service.
Context
Produced alongside the War Artists' Scheme, Tithe Barn and Dove House, Hurley, is one of over 1,500 works by 97 artists in the Recording Britain collection, highlighting the project's scale and significance in preserving a visual record of England's landscape during a period of turmoil.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philip Hussey (1713–1783), was an Irish portrait-painter. Hussey was born at Cloyne, in the county of Cork and his career began as a sailor. He was shipwrecked three times. He drew the figureheads and stern ornaments of…
