Who painted A gateway, Exeter?

A gateway, Exeter was painted by Longley in 1940.

Where can I see A gateway, Exeter?

A gateway, Exeter is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is A gateway, Exeter?

A gateway, Exeter is associated with Regionalism.

Artwork

A gateway, Exeter

Longley , 1940

A gateway, Exeter is a watercolor work on paper by the Regionalist artist Longley. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

A Gateway, Exeter, a 1940 watercolour by Longley, captures a serene, weathered arched gateway, flanked by simple stone posts and adorned with a metal lantern bracket, conveying a sense of quiet, faded grandeur.

Subject & Meaning

The artwork documents a specific gateway in Exeter, part of the 'Recording Britain' project, which aimed to preserve visual records of nationally significant sites vulnerable to wartime destruction or gradual change, reflecting a wartime effort to capture perceived vanishing heritage.

Technique & Style

Executed in soft, watery colours, the painting features loose, expressive brushstrokes, evoking a quick sketch. This technique effectively conveys the subtle play of fading light on the rough, moss-covered stone surfaces and uneven ground.

History & Provenance

Created in 1940 under the 'Recording Britain' scheme during the Second World War, the watercolour is part of a broader wartime initiative to sustain artistic practice amidst national turmoil.

Context

The piece is contextualized within a national project to document vulnerable heritage sites across England, Wales, and Scotland, highlighting concerns over preservation during wartime.

Legacy

The artwork, along with Longley's other works, can be further explored at the Victoria and Albert Museum, contributing to the artist's documented oeuvre within British wartime art initiatives.