Artwork
Ham Street, Cows from Manor Farm passing Ham House stables
Ham Street, Cows from Manor Farm passing Ham House stables is a watercolor work on paper by John Sanderson Sanderson-Wells. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Ham Street, Cows from Manor Farm passing Ham House stables is a watercolour by John Sanderson-Wells, created in 1940. The work captures a serene rural scene of cows moving along a tree-lined lane, with a stable block in the background.
Subject & Meaning
The painting documents a moment of rural English life during World War II, subtly reflecting wartime concerns over the preservation of traditional landscapes and national identity.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the piece features soft, muted colors and delicate rendering, evoking a sense of quiet tranquility and peacefulness. The medium's inherent softness complements the serene atmosphere of the scene.
History & Provenance
Commissioned by the Committee for the Employment of Artists in Wartime, with support from the Pilgrim Trust, this work was part of the *Recording Britain* project, a large-scale initiative (over 1,500 works by 97 artists) to record Britain's national identity during wartime.
Context
Within the broader *Recording Britain* collection, this piece contributes to a visual archive of the country's landscape and life during the Second World War, highlighting the importance of preserving cultural heritage amidst turmoil.
Legacy
As part of the extensive *Recording Britain* project, the work remains a significant document of wartime Britain, offering insights into the era's rural life and the artistic response to national identity concerns.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Sanderson Sanderson-Wells
John Sanderson-Wells painted quiet watercolor scenes of London’s riverside in the 1940s.
