Artwork
Market Place, Poulton-le-fylde, near Blackpool
Market Place, Poulton-le-fylde, near Blackpool is a watercolor work on paper by the Social Realist artist Pile. It dates from 1943 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Market Place, Poulton-le-fylde, near Blackpool is a 1943 watercolour painting by Pile, capturing a serene market square scene in a Lancashire town.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a tranquil market square focused on the market cross, conveying a sense of preserved tradition amidst wartime. It highlights old stone buildings, with one featuring a shopfront, and includes everyday details like a lamppost and a tethered horse.
Technique & Style
Characterized by loose, expressive brushstrokes reminiscent of quick sketches, the work primarily employs a muted palette of grays, browns, and touches of green, reflecting the artist's rapid yet observant approach.
History & Provenance
Created under the 'Recording Britain' project, a Second World War initiative funded by the Pilgrim Trust and led by Sir Kenneth Clark, this piece aimed to document vulnerable British landscapes and cultural sites. It is now part of a collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Artist & collection
