Artwork
College Barges on the Isis, Oxford
College Barges on the Isis, Oxford is a watercolor work on paper by Bayes. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
College Barges on the Isis, Oxford is a 1940 watercolour by Walter Bayes, capturing a serene river scene in Oxford during World War II.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork depicts a college barge moored on the River Isis, with two young women in summer attire approaching the gangway, accompanied by a dog. The scene conveys a sense of everyday life and tranquility amidst wartime.
Technique & Style
Characterized by soft colors and rapid brushstrokes, the watercolour exhibits a loose and sketchy quality, particularly in the rendering of the barge, buildings, and trees with yellowing leaves.
History & Provenance
Created for the 'Recording Britain' project, led by Sir Kenneth Clark and funded by the Pilgrim Trust, this work is part of a larger collection of over 1,500 artworks by 97 artists, aimed at documenting Britain's landscape and identity during WWII.
Context
Part of a national effort to preserve visual records of threatened landscapes and buildings, the piece focuses on Oxford, reflecting the project's primary emphasis on England.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
