Artwork
The Ice Store in the grounds of Buckland House near Faringdon
The Ice Store in the grounds of 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
The Ice Store in the grounds of Buckland House near Faringdon is a watercolour painting executed in 1940, depicting an 18th-century ice house situated on the estate. The work captures the structure’s architectural details and its natural surroundings.
Subject & Meaning
The painting focuses on an 18th-century ice house, highlighting its limestone porch with a pediment and a thatched, circular main structure, partially obscured by trees. The subject reflects the project’s goal of documenting Britain’s cultural and architectural heritage during wartime.
Technique & Style
Characterized by quick, loose brushstrokes, the watercolour employs an earthy palette dominated by browns and greens, conveying a rustic, natural ambiance. The textured, expressive technique captures the wear on the stone building and the untamed surroundings.
History & Provenance
Commissioned under the *Recording Britain* project (1940), led by Sir Kenneth Clark, the painting aimed to preserve threatened landscapes and support artists during WWII. It is part of a national record of rural and architectural subjects, excluding most of Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland.
Context
Created amidst WWII, the work responds to concerns over the loss of heritage sites due to war and modernization. It stands alongside other *Recording Britain* artworks, now housed in various collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum.
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
