Wheelwrights at work in Mr. J. W. Brunt's Shop, Newington
1940
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1940
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Wheelwrights at work in Mr. J. W. Brunt's Shop, Newington is a 1940 watercolor by Hennell, a Social Realism work, depicting Workshop, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows a messy workshop with two men working. One man stands near a wooden cartwheel, holding tools. The other sits hunched over a half-finished wheel, his hands busy with ropes and wood. The room is cluttered with beams, tools, and old planks, and the walls look worn and patched. The rough brushstrokes and faded colors make the scene feel gritty and real. The artist didn’t smooth out the details—it looks like they were in a hurry or wanted to keep it raw. If you like this style, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum for more works like it.
This watercolour depicts wheelwrights shaping timber in a workshop in Newington, Kent, reflecting traditional rural craftsmanship. It was created in 1940 as part of the *Recording Britain* project, a wartime initiative to document British landscapes, industries, and communities facing change or potential loss. The scheme, funded by the Pilgrim Trust and directed by Sir Kenneth Clark, employed artists to record scenes across England, Wales, and Scotland, emphasizing national identity and the impact of war. The work is one of over 1,500 pieces produced by 97 artists under the program.
Read the full account in the museum source.
The Hennell family is a family of prominent silver-smiths and writers in Southern England.
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