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The Shelter, Bedford Square, London, WC1

Phyllis Dimond

1943

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Social Realism Early Modern Architectural Pavilion

Dominant colour

The Shelter, Bedford Square, London, WC1 is a 1943 watercolor by Phyllis Dimond, a Social Realism work, depicting Pavilion, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Phyllis Dimond
When & what style?: 1943 · Social Realism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This watercolor shows a small, empty pavilion with a curved roof in a quiet courtyard. The structure has wooden benches inside, and the walls are painted a muted green. Behind it, there are brick buildings with tall chimneys and bare trees with yellowing leaves. The artist focused on simple shapes and soft colors, making the scene feel calm. The pavilion’s design looks like something you’d find in a garden or park. If you like this, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.

The story of this work

Overview

The shelter, constructed in the 1940s from wood and known as the Pagoda, features ornate carvings and is depicted in a watercolour by Phyllis Dimond as part of the *Recording Britain* project. This initiative employed artists during World War II to document Britain’s landscape and cultural sites, funded by the Pilgrim Trust and directed by Sir Kenneth Clark. The work reflects efforts to preserve a record of places and traditions perceived as vulnerable to wartime changes and urban development. Over 1,500 pieces were produced by 97 artists across England, with limited inclusion of Wales and no…

Read the full account in the museum source.