Artwork

Corner of a street

Corner of a street, by Glyn Philpot, watercolor, 1937
Corner of a street, by Glyn Philpot, watercolor, 1937

Corner of a street is a watercolor work on paper by the Social Realist artist Glyn Philpot. It dates from 1937 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Corner of a Street is a watercolour and body colour painting that captures a humble urban scene, focusing on the details of a single street corner.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays a tall, narrow building with signs of wear, including peeling paint, a faded blue door, and a metal fence along the sidewalk. A curved pipe and a small window with wooden shutters add to the depiction of everyday, possibly neglected, urban architecture.

Technique & Style

Executed in muted tones of greys, browns, and touches of blue, the work features rough, sketchy lines. The loose, unfinished quality of the watercolour technique mirrors the worn appearance of the subject matter.

History & Provenance

Limited information is provided about the painting's history. It is not explicitly dated or attributed to a specific artist in the given sources.

Context

Works similar to Corner of a Street can be found at the Victoria and Albert Museum, suggesting the piece aligns with the museum's collection of watercolours capturing everyday life and architecture.

Artist & collection

Artist

Glyn Philpot

Glyn Philpot painted scenes of everyday life in watercolor during the 1930s and 1940s.