On the Somme

About this work

This watercolor shows a crumbling stone tower by the water, with a few small boats floating nearby. A lone figure in a red coat walks along the shore, while another person sits in a boat. The sky is painted with soft, cloudy strokes, and the buildings behind the tower look old and weathered. The artist used loose, sketchy brushstrokes to capture the mood of the scene—light and airy, yet a little mysterious. The water looks calm, but the tower’s broken windows and missing roof hint at decay. If you like this style, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum for more works like it.