Artwork
Tarr Steps, Exmoor
Tarr Steps, Exmoor is a watercolor work on paper by White. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Created in 1940, this watercolour portrays the ancient stone bridge known as Tarr Steps, which spans the River Barle on Exmoor.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1940, this watercolour portrays the ancient stone bridge known as Tarr Steps, which spans the River Barle on Exmoor. The composition includes a tranquil river scene, a modest herd of cattle drinking at the water’s edge, and a wooded backdrop rendered in muted greens, browns and blues that convey a misty, early‑morning atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The bridge, a prehistoric slab construction, serves as the focal point, symbolising the continuity of rural life across centuries. The presence of the cattle emphasizes the ongoing agricultural use of the landscape, while the surrounding trees and gentle river suggest a harmonious coexistence between natural environment and human activity.
Technique & Style
The artist employs loose, sketch‑like brushwork to suggest the flow of water and the texture of foliage, avoiding precise outlines. Light is indicated through subtle tonal shifts rather than sharp contrasts, giving the stone bridge and surrounding terrain a sense of depth while maintaining an overall softness that characterises the work’s atmospheric quality.
History & Provenance
The painting was produced as part of the wartime ‘Recording Britain’ scheme, a Ministry of Labour and National Service initiative overseen by Sir Kenneth Clark.
The painting was produced as part of the wartime ‘Recording Britain’ scheme, a Ministry of Labour and National Service initiative overseen by Sir Kenneth Clark. The project aimed to document sites of cultural importance during World War II, preserving visual records of the British landscape amid the threat of change. The work bears the artist’s signature and remains in the collection assembled for this documentation effort.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist painted landscapes of Britain in watercolor around the middle of the 20th century.
