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Chiswick Mall

Bayes

1940

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Early Modern

Dominant colour

Chiswick Mall is a 1940 watercolor by Bayes, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Bayes
When & what style?: 1940 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

The painting depicts a serene riverside scene, with a tree standing prominently in the foreground. The tree's branches stretch upwards, and its leaves are a vibrant green. In the background, a bridge spans the river, while buildings line the opposite bank. The sky above is a soft, cloudy grey. A low wall runs along the riverbank, with a few figures standing or sitting on it. The overall atmosphere of the painting is one of tranquility and peacefulness. The artist's use of soft colors and gentle brushstrokes adds to the sense of calm. The painting's style is reminiscent of the Impressionist movement, with its emphasis on capturing the fleeting effects of light and color. If you're interested in learning more about this style, you might want to explore the work of artist Bayes.

The story of this work

Overview

A watercolour signed by Bayes from 1940 depicts a riverside scene at Chiswick Mall, showing children playing along the banks of the River Thames. The work was created as part of the "Recording Britain" project, a wartime initiative led by Sir Kenneth Clark to document the British landscape and national identity during the Second World War. Funded by the Pilgrim Trust and administered by the Ministry of Labour and National Service, the scheme commissioned artists to capture scenes of buildings, rural landscapes, and everyday life across England, Wales, and parts of Scotland. The collection…

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

Bayes

This artist painted watercolours around London in the 1940s. They captured quiet spots like The Gateway at Royal Naval College, Greenwich, The Garden at York House in Twickenham, and London Dock, Wapping. Each sheet…

See the richer artist page