Artwork
Child's Tombstone in the Churchyard of St. Devereux, Kilpeck
Child's Tombstone in the Churchyard of St. Devereux, Kilpeck is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist Lines. It dates from 1942 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1942 watercolour captures a poignant scene of a child's tombstone in the churchyard of St.
About this work
Overview
This 1942 watercolour captures a poignant scene of a child's tombstone in the churchyard of St. Devereux, Kilpeck, as part of the Recording Britain project, which aimed to document British heritage during World War II.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork focuses on a weathered child's grave, marked by a simple cross and partially legible inscription, including the word 'Memorial'. A handwritten poem at the bottom adds a layer of melancholy, commemorating the young life buried there.
Technique & Style
Executed in loose, sketchy watercolour lines, the piece conveys a sense of quiet sorrow. The composition features a windblown grassy foreground, bare trees, and a pale sky, evoking a somber atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created under the Recording Britain scheme, funded by the Pilgrim Trust and led by Sir Kenneth Clark, this work is one of over 1,500 pieces by 97 artists documenting Britain's landscape and heritage during WWII.
Context
Part of a broader effort to preserve a sense of national identity amidst wartime uncertainty, the painting highlights the project's focus on rural and historic sites vulnerable to change or destruction.
Artist & collection
