Who painted Fishermen's Almshouses, Great Yarmouth?

Fishermen's Almshouses, Great Yarmouth was painted by Mona Moore in 1941.

Where can I see Fishermen's Almshouses, Great Yarmouth?

Fishermen's Almshouses, Great Yarmouth is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Fishermen's Almshouses, Great Yarmouth?

Fishermen's Almshouses, Great Yarmouth is associated with Social Realism.

Artwork

Fishermen's Almshouses, Great Yarmouth

Mona Moore , 1941

Fishermen's Almshouses, Great Yarmouth is a watercolor work on paper by the Social Realist artist Mona Moore. It dates from 1941 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

This watercolour shows a quiet brick building in Great Yarmouth. The title says it’s called Fishermen’s Almshouses. Built in 1702, these homes helped struggling fishermen long ago.

Moore made this as part of the Recording Britain project during the war. The News Chronicle liked her East Anglian scenes when they were shown in 1942.

Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Overview

The work depicts the Fishermen’s Almshouses of Great Yarmouth, a modest brick structure erected in 1702 to shelter impoverished local fishermen. A statue of Charity stands before the entrance, emphasizing the charitable purpose of the building, which remained in use as a refuge for “decayed” seafarers until the late nineteenth century.

Subject & Meaning

The almshouses embody the social safety net of a thriving fishing port, offering a tangible reminder of the economic volatility that could affect even successful maritime communities. The presence of the allegorical figure underscores the moral imperative of communal aid during periods of hardship.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolor, the piece forms part of a series of eight Norfolk scenes created by Mona Moore for the Recording Britain project. The medium allows for delicate washes that convey the quiet atmosphere of the building and its surroundings, while retaining sufficient detail to document architectural features.

History & Provenance

Commissioned during World War II as part of the national effort to record at‑risk heritage, the watercolor was later shown in the 1942 exhibition “The Queen’s Pictures at the National Gallery.” Contemporary press, notably the News Chronicle, highlighted Moore’s East Anglian works for their lyrical quality.

Context

The Recording Britain initiative sought to preserve visual records of British landscapes and architecture threatened by wartime destruction or change. Moore’s contribution captures a regional example of social housing, linking the town’s maritime economy with broader narratives of welfare and community responsibility.