Artwork

Saloon Bar, Blue Posts, Tottenham Court Road, St. Pancras

Saloon Bar, Blue Posts, Tottenham Court Road, St. Pancras, by Bayes, watercolor, 1940
Saloon Bar, Blue Posts, Tottenham Court Road, St. Pancras, by Bayes, watercolor, 1940

Saloon Bar, Blue Posts, Tottenham Court Road, St. Pancras is a watercolor work on paper by the Social Realist artist Bayes. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Saloon Bar, Blue Posts, Tottenham Court Road, St.

About this work

Overview

Saloon Bar, Blue Posts, Tottenham Court Road, St. Pancras is a watercolour painting created in 1940 by Bayes. It captures a scene inside a London pub, showcasing everyday life during World War II.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts patrons in a saloon bar, relaxed and socializing. A woman sits wearily on a couch, while others engage in conversation or enjoy their drinks at the bar and tables.

Technique & Style

The watercolour technique used by Bayes creates a soft, muted effect, suiting the intimate atmosphere of the scene. The artist's use of colour and composition adds depth to the interior, drawing the viewer's eye through the space.

History & Provenance

This painting was part of the 'Recording Britain' collection, a wartime initiative to document British life and landscapes. Funded by the Pilgrim Trust and overseen by Sir Kenneth Clark, the project employed artists to record scenes across England, Wales, and Scotland.

Context

The work reflects the project's aim to preserve a sense of national identity during a time of rapid change and wartime threats, focusing on everyday scenes and traditional forms of British art.

Rule's, 35 Maiden Lane, W.C.2.
Rule's, 35 Maiden Lane, W.C.2., Bayes

Artist & collection

Artist

Bayes

Walter John Bayes was an English painter and illustrator who was a founder member of both the Camden Town Group and the London Group and also a renowned art teacher and critic.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Saloon Bar, Blue Posts, Tottenham Court Road, St. Pancras?

Saloon Bar, Blue Posts, Tottenham Court Road, St. Pancras was painted by Bayes in 1940.

Where can I see Saloon Bar, Blue Posts, Tottenham Court Road, St. Pancras?

Saloon Bar, Blue Posts, Tottenham Court Road, St. Pancras is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Saloon Bar, Blue Posts, Tottenham Court Road, St. Pancras?

Saloon Bar, Blue Posts, Tottenham Court Road, St. Pancras is associated with Social Realism.