Artwork
Tomb of Miss Ann Nelson, sister of Horatio Nelson, Bathford churchyard, Bath
Tomb of Miss Ann Nelson, sister of Horatio Nelson, Bathford churchyard, Bath is a watercolor work on paper by the Contemporary Realist artist Clifford Ellis. It dates from 1943 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Clifford Ellis's 1943 watercolour, 'Tomb of Miss Ann Nelson', captures a detailed view of two adjacent tombs in Bathford churchyard, Bath, with the right tomb identified by a plaque bearing Ann Nelson's name, sister of Horatio Nelson.
Subject & Meaning
The painting focuses on the tomb of Ann Nelson, highlighting its architectural features - a white structure with a pointed roof, enclosed by an iron railing with a spiked gate. The subject's connection to the renowned Horatio Nelson adds historical depth.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the work exhibits a predominantly muted palette of whites, grays, with subtle accents of green and yellow in the background, contributing to a sense of serenity and timelessness, somewhat enhanced by the faded appearance.
History & Provenance
Created under the 'Recording Britain' project (1940-1946), a wartime initiative funded by the Pilgrim Trust, aimed at documenting Britain's changing landscape through art. Ellis's piece was part of this national effort to preserve visual records of potentially endangered sites.
Context
The project, led by Sir Kenneth Clark and administered by the Committee for the Employment of Artists in Wartime, reflects the era's concern for preserving national identity amidst wartime threats and modernization.
Artist & collection
Artist
Clifford Ellis painted delicate watercolours of early-1940s Bath landmarks. In 1943 he recorded the wrought-iron Gates at the Hermitage in Lansdown and the quiet churchyard tomb of Miss Ann Nelson, sister of Horatio…
