Artwork
Girl in a Hat Shop
Girl in a Hat Shop is a watercolor work on paper by the Contemporary Realist artist David Remfry. It dates from 1982 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
David Remfry’s 1982 watercolour captures a moment inside a bustling hat shop. The composition centers on a young woman in a dark coat, her gaze directed downward, while rows of vividly coloured hats dominate the surrounding space.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents a snapshot of everyday commerce, emphasizing the abundance of headwear, bright reds, deep greens and blacks, against a cluttered backdrop. The figure’s quiet posture amid the lively setting suggests a contrast between individual contemplation and the surrounding activity.
Technique & Style
Remfry employs rapid, loose brushwork characteristic of watercolour, allowing pigments to flow and merge, which imparts a sense of immediacy. The palette balances saturated accents, particularly the striking red hats, with more muted tones, creating visual tension and a slightly chaotic atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created in 1982, the painting belongs to Remfry’s series of urban scenes that document contemporary British life. It remains part of the artist’s private collection, having been exhibited in several group shows focusing on modern British watercolours.
Context
During the early 1980s, British art saw renewed interest in everyday subjects rendered with expressive techniques. Remfry’s choice of a commercial interior reflects this trend, aligning his work with contemporaries who explored the visual richness of ordinary urban spaces.
Artist & collection
Artist
David Remfry is a British painter and curator. He served as the Eranda Professor of Drawing at the Royal Academy Schools from 2016 to 2018 and as a competition judge for the Royal Academy of Arts Charles Wollaston Award…
