Who painted The Old Prison, Northleach?

The Old Prison, Northleach was painted by Swan in 1943.

Where can I see The Old Prison, Northleach?

The Old Prison, Northleach is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

The Old Prison, Northleach

Swan , 1943

The Old Prison, Northleach is a watercolor work on paper by Swan. It dates from 1943 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

A few bare trees and a small fence line the scene, and the sky is soft and light.

This sketch shows a quiet street with a large, plain building in the middle. It looks like an old prison with tall windows and a flat roof. The walls are pale, and there’s a stone wall in front with a narrow path. A few bare trees and a small fence line the scene, and the sky is soft and light.

The artist signed it in 1943, calling it *The Old Prison, Northleach*. The watercolor feels simple but careful, with gentle washes of color.

If you like this style, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Overview

The Old Prison, Northleach is a 1943 watercolour by Swan, created as part of the Recording Britain project. It depicts a former house of correction in Northleach, Gloucestershire.

Subject & Meaning

The painting shows a three-building complex linked by high walls, with a grassy forecourt and a low boundary wall. The prison's design reflects 1790s penal reform influences, having been designed by Sir George Onesiphorus Paul.

Technique & Style

The watercolour features gentle washes of colour, conveying a sense of simplicity and care. The artist's use of soft, light tones captures the quiet atmosphere of the scene.

History & Provenance

The Old Prison was originally built in the 1790s as a house of correction. The watercolour was created in 1943, during a wartime initiative to document Britain's cultural and architectural heritage.