1940
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
Chiswick House Garden, with statues of Caesar and Cicero, and Vase from Hadrian's Villa is a 1940 watercolor by Archibald Standish Hartrick, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
The painting depicts a serene garden scene, with two statues standing in the foreground. The statue on the left is of Caesar, while the one on the right is of Cicero. A large vase sits to the right of the statues, adding to the tranquil atmosphere of the garden. In the background, a trellis or pergola stretches across the top of the painting, with trees and bushes visible beyond. The overall effect is one of peacefulness and contemplation, inviting the viewer to step into the serene world of the garden. The painting is a beautiful example of watercolour work, with soft colours and delicate brushstrokes used to create a sense of depth and texture. To learn more about the artist's technique, look up chiaroscuro.
This watercolour depicts the garden at Chiswick House, featuring classical statues of Caesar and Cicero alongside a replica vase from Hadrian’s Villa. Created in 1940 as part of the Recording Britain project, it documents the English landscape during the Second World War under a scheme led by Sir Kenneth Clark to preserve scenes threatened by wartime changes. The work reflects broader efforts to capture a sense of national identity through topographical art. It is part of a larger collection of over 1,500 works produced by 97 artists commissioned by the Ministry of Labour and National Service.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Archibald Standish Hartrick (7 August 1864 – 1 February 1950) was a Scottish painter known for the quality of his lithographic work.
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