Artwork
Street in Stamford, Rutlandshire

Street in Stamford, Rutlandshire is a watercolor work on paper by the Social Realist artist Leathart. It dates from 1936 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
A lamppost stands empty in the middle of the road, and a tree with bare branches leans over the left side.
This sketch shows a quiet street lined with old houses. The buildings have steep, thatched roofs and dark wooden beams framing the windows. A lamppost stands empty in the middle of the road, and a tree with bare branches leans over the left side. The ground looks cobblestoned, and the whole scene feels still, like a moment frozen in time.
The artist signed it "Street in Stamford, Aug '36," which matches the year 1936. The houses look like they’ve been there for centuries, with their timeless design.
Next, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more of this artist’s work.
Overview
Street in Stamford, Rutlandshire is a watercolour painting created in 1936. It depicts a tranquil street scene in Stamford, featuring traditional town houses.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a quiet street with old houses, characterized by steep thatched roofs and dark wooden beams. The scene is rendered still, capturing a moment in time.
History & Provenance
Although painted in 1936, the work is associated with the 'Recording Britain' collection, a wartime initiative launched in 1940 to document the British landscape and built environment.
Context
The 'Recording Britain' collection, directed by Sir Kenneth Clark and funded by the Pilgrim Trust, employed 97 artists to produce over 1,500 works between 1940 and 1943, aiming to preserve a record of places under threat from wartime damage and post-war change.
Artist & collection
Artist
This amateur artist once painted the same quiet street in Stamford, Rutlandshire for forty years straight.











