Pelican Ponds, Zoological Gardens
1940
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1940
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Pelican Ponds, Zoological Gardens is a 1940 watercolor by Bayes, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
The painting shows a group of people standing around a circular pool, with several white birds with long beaks and legs scattered around it. The people are dressed in casual clothing, and some are looking at the birds while others are chatting with each other. In the background, there are trees and a building with a sloping roof. The scene is depicted in a loose, impressionistic style, with bold brushstrokes and vivid colors. The artist has captured the sense of a sunny day, with the light casting dappled shadows on the ground. This painting is a charming depiction of a leisurely scene, and it invites the viewer to step into the tranquil atmosphere of the zoological gardens. If you're interested in exploring more of the artist's work, you might want to look up Bayes.
This watercolour by Bayes, signed and dated 1940, depicts the pelican enclosure at the London Zoo. Part of the *Recording Britain* project, it was created under a wartime scheme that employed artists to document aspects of British life and landscape during the Second World War. The work reflects efforts to preserve a record of national identity amid concerns over potential destruction and social change. It was funded by the Pilgrim Trust and overseen by Sir Kenneth Clark as part of a broader initiative to support artists and traditional British art forms.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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…
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