Who painted The Ribble at Great Mitton near Clitheroe?

The Ribble at Great Mitton near Clitheroe was painted by Dawson in 1940.

Where can I see The Ribble at Great Mitton near Clitheroe?

The Ribble at Great Mitton near Clitheroe is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is The Ribble at Great Mitton near Clitheroe?

The Ribble at Great Mitton near Clitheroe is associated with Regionalism.

Artwork

The Ribble at Great Mitton near Clitheroe

Dawson , 1940

The Ribble at Great Mitton near Clitheroe is a watercolor work on paper by the Regionalist artist Dawson. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The work is a watercolour painted in 1940 that portrays the River Ribble as it passes near the village of Great Mitton, with the settlement visible on a low rise in the background. The composition captures a tranquil stretch of water bordered by leaf‑less trees under a muted sky, suggesting a quiet, early‑yeartime atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The scene presents a rural English landscape where the river, the village church and modest dwellings form a modest tableau of community life. By emphasizing the stillness of the water and the sparse vegetation, the image reflects a sense of continuity and resilience in the countryside during a period of national uncertainty.

Technique & Style

The artist employs a restrained palette of soft, blended tones that convey a hazy, almost wintry light. Delicate washes render the sky and water, while finer brushwork defines the bare branches and architectural outlines. The overall effect is one of calm diffusion rather than sharp detail, reinforcing the atmospheric quality of the view.

History & Provenance

Created as part of the Recording Britain scheme, the piece was commissioned by a wartime initiative overseen by Sir Kenneth Clark and financed by the Pilgrim Trust. The project enlisted artists to document the visual character of Britain’s landscapes and settlements at a time when bomb damage and urban growth threatened traditional scenery.

Context

The Recording Britain programme aimed to preserve visual evidence of a Britain perceived to be changing rapidly in the early 1940s. By focusing on rural settings such as the Ribble valley, the series sought to capture elements of national identity that might be lost through wartime destruction or post‑war development.