Artwork
Meaford Lock, Stone
Meaford Lock, Stone is a watercolor work on paper by Puller. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Meaford Lock, Stone is a 1943 watercolour by Puller, capturing a serene rural scene of a Trent and Mersey Canal lock in Staffordshire, complete with a bridge, lock keeper's cottage, and solitary figure.
Subject & Meaning
The painting documents a culturally significant British landscape during wartime, preserving a moment of quiet, everyday life amidst potential destruction and change.
Technique & Style
Characterized by loose, quick brushstrokes, the work softly blends elements like grass and water, conveying light, shadow, and a sense of stillness.
History & Provenance
Commissioned under the Recording Britain initiative (1940-1943), funded by the Pilgrim Trust and directed by Sir Kenneth Clark, the piece is part of a collection aimed at preserving Britain's landscape and traditions during WWII.
Context
Created alongside works by notable watercolourists John Piper and Rowland Hilder, Meaford Lock, Stone reflects the project's goal to employ artists in documenting vulnerable national heritage sites.
Legacy
Now part of the Recording Britain collection, the watercolour is housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it remains accessible alongside similar works, offering a glimpse into Britain's wartime cultural preservation efforts.
Artist & collection
