Artwork
Buckland House, near Faringdon
Buckland House, near Faringdon is a watercolor work on paper by Piper. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Buckland House, near Faringdon is a watercolour painting by John Piper, created in 1940. The work depicts a large country house in a serene landscape.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows Buckland House, a symmetrical stately home with a central pedimented section and two wings, set against a cloudy sky. The muted colour palette conveys a sense of grandeur and serenity, capturing the essence of the English countryside.
Technique & Style
Piper's use of watercolour results in a pale, spectral representation of the house against a darker sky and foreground. The colour scheme is subdued, with shades of brown, gray, and beige dominating the composition.
History & Provenance
The painting was produced as part of the Recording Britain project, a wartime initiative that employed artists to document Britain's landscape and architecture. Funded by the Pilgrim Trust and overseen by Sir Kenneth Clark, the project ran from 1940 to 1943.
Context
The work reflects concerns about potential wartime damage to Britain's built environment and the broader changes affecting the rural landscape.
Artist & collection
Artist
A 1940s British artist known for delicate watercolours of country houses, churches, and riverside views, Piper captured quiet corners of England in soft washes and fine lines.
A House, Maidenhead
The river approach, Fawley Court
Interior of St. Peter's Church, Gayhurst
The Ruined Temple of Friendship in the Grounds at Stowe
Congreve Monument (designed by Wm. Kent) and Shell Grotto, Stowe
The Duck House in the Park of Buckland House near Faringdon
The Tunnel in the grounds of Buckland House, near Faringdon
Dashwood Mausoleum, West Wycombe
