Artwork
The Tunnel in the grounds of Buckland House, near Faringdon
The Tunnel in the grounds of Buckland House, near Faringdon is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Piper. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Tunnel in the grounds of Buckland House, near Faringdon is a 1940 watercolour by John Piper, capturing an ornamental tunnel within the estate's landscaped grounds.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is an ornamental tunnel at Buckland House, depicted with contrasting light and shadow. The work's meaning extends to documenting endangered aspects of the British landscape during WWII.
Technique & Style
Piper employed quick, sketchy strokes to convey texture, juxtaposing a softly lit tunnel interior with dark, shadowy exteriors and surrounding foliage.
History & Provenance
Created for the Recording Britain project (1940-1943), funded by the Pilgrim Trust, the watercolour is part of a collection documenting nationally significant sites amidst wartime change.
Context
Part of a broader effort to record vanishing traditional landscapes and ways of life threatened by war and modernization, the piece reflects early 20th-century concerns about cultural preservation.
Legacy
As part of the Recording Britain series, the work contributes to a historical record of Britain's wartime landscape, now held in a topographical watercolour collection.
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
Dashwood Mausoleum, West Wycombe
Exterior of the Church of St. Denis, Faxton
