Where can I see Knowle?

Knowle is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Can I buy a print of Knowle?

Museum-quality prints of Knowle are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Knowle

Merritt

Knowle is a watercolor work on paper by Merritt. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Knowle is a 1940 watercolour by Merritt, capturing a serene view of Knole mansion in Sevenoaks from outside its outer wall. The composition focuses on a central turret, with intervening rooftops, chimneys, and mature trees framing the left side.

Subject & Meaning

The painting documents Knole's architecture, emphasizing its historical presence. Created under the 'Recording Britain' project, it aimed to preserve visual records of threatened British heritage sites during wartime, reflecting concerns over a vanishing national identity.

Technique & Style

Merritt employed watercolour to achieve a soft, hazy effect, with light, slightly blurred colors. The palette features muted browns, grays, and a pale, nearly empty sky, while a dark green tree partially obscures the view, adding depth.

History & Provenance

Commissioned by the 'Recording Britain' initiative (funded by the Pilgrim Trust and directed by Sir Kenneth Clark), the work was part of a wartime effort to record endangered British landscapes and buildings.

Context

The inclusion of a walking figure introduces a sense of everyday life amidst the historic setting, contrasting the tranquility of the scene with the turmoil of the wartime period in which it was created.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Merritt

Anna Massey Lea Merritt (September 13, 1844 – April 7, 1930) was an American artist from Philadelphia who lived and worked in Great Britain for most of her life.