Who painted Timber Felling in Essex?

Timber Felling in Essex was painted by Michael Rothenstein in 1946.

Where can I see Timber Felling in Essex?

Timber Felling in Essex is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Timber Felling in Essex

Michael Rothenstein , 1946

Timber Felling in Essex is an ink print by Michael Rothenstein. It dates from 1946 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Michael Rothenstein’s 1946 lithograph titled Timber Felling in Essex depicts a bustling woodland scene where laborers, animals and early steam machinery converge. The composition is rendered in muted earth tones, dominated by browns and greens, and is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s print collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print portrays a chaotic timber‑cutting operation: a rider on horseback brandishes an axe marked with a red cross, a worker wrestles a fallen trunk, and a woman in a long dress holds a stick nearby. Two large‑wheel steam engines emit smoke in the background, suggesting a moment of industrial transition within a rural setting.

Technique & Style

Executed as a lithograph, Rothenstein employs a limited palette and strong line work to convey texture and movement. The subdued coloration emphasizes the gritty atmosphere, while the inclusion of symbolic red crosses on the axe and wheels introduces a visual motif that may allude to rescue or medical connotations.

History & Provenance

Created shortly after World War II, the work entered the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in mid‑twentieth‑century British printmaking and the documentation of post‑war industrial landscapes.