Artwork

Wedgwood Works, Etruria

Wedgwood Works, Etruria, by Puller, watercolor
Wedgwood Works, Etruria, by Puller, watercolor

Wedgwood Works, Etruria is a watercolor work on paper by Puller. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Wedgwood Works, Etruria is a 1943 watercolour painting by Puller, capturing a serene industrial scene of the Wedgwood factory during World War II.

Subject & Meaning

The painting focuses on the Wedgwood factory's industrial architecture, highlighting kilns, chimneys, and warehouses, as part of a wartime effort to document potentially endangered British industries and landscapes.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolour, the piece features a soft, muted palette, visible brushstrokes, and a textured appearance, conveying a quiet, everyday industrial atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created under the 'Recording Britain' scheme, led by Sir Kenneth Clark, this work is one of over 1,500 pieces by 97 artists aimed at preserving wartime Britain's visual record.

Context

Part of a broader artistic movement documenting everyday life and industry, this painting shares similarities with contemporaries focusing on mundane, working-life subjects.

Legacy

Now associated with collections like those at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the piece contributes to the historical record of British wartime preservation efforts and industrial heritage.

Artist & collection

Artist

Puller

Puller (1799–1886) was an artist.