Artwork
Pendennis Castle, Falmouth
Pendennis Castle, Falmouth is a watercolor work on paper by Barbara Jones. It dates from 1943 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The castle looks old but well-kept, with arched windows and a tower that has a pointed top.
This watercolor shows a stone castle with thick walls and a round tower. The building sits on a grassy hill, with a small fence and a few bushes in the foreground. The sky is light and cloudy, and the paint is soft, blending colors smoothly.
The castle looks old but well-kept, with arched windows and a tower that has a pointed top. The artist’s signature reads "Barbara Jones 1943," written at the bottom left.
Next, look up Victoria and Albert Museum to see more of this artist’s work.
Overview
Pendennis Castle, Falmouth is a 1943 watercolour by Barbara Jones, capturing the historic castle situated on a lush headland near Falmouth. The piece is signed, dated, and titled by the artist.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork depicts Pendennis Castle, emphasizing its integration into the natural landscape. As part of the 'Recording Britain' collection, it aimed to preserve a visual record of Britain's heritage during WWII, highlighting places vulnerable to wartime destruction and post-war transformation.
Technique & Style
Characterized by soft watercolour techniques, the work blends colors smoothly, portraying the castle's aged yet well-maintained structure amidst a serene, cloudy sky. The composition includes subtle foreground elements like a small fence and bushes.
History & Provenance
Commissioned as part of the 'Recording Britain' initiative (supported by the Pilgrim Trust and directed by Sir Kenneth Clark), this watercolour is one of over 1,500 works by 97 artists, with 63 specifically commissioned for the project.
Context
Created during WWII, the piece reflects the wartime effort to document and preserve Britain's cultural and geographical identity. Similar works by the artist can be found in collections like the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Artist & collection
Artist
Barbara Mildred Jones (25 December 1912 – 28 August 1978) was an English artist, writer and mural painter. She is known for curating the exhibition Black Eyes and Lemonade (1951) and her book The Unsophisticated Arts (1951).
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