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Dashwood Mausoleum, West Wycombe

Piper

1940

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Early Modern Architectural

Dominant colour

Dashwood Mausoleum, West Wycombe is a 1940 watercolor by Piper, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Piper
When & what style?: 1940
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This sketch shows an old, crumbling building with a big archway in the center. Inside the arch, there’s a dark dome with three hanging lanterns. The walls look weathered, with cracks and faded carvings. A grassy slope sits in front, and the whole scene feels half-lit, like it’s caught between day and shadow. The artist focused on rough edges and uneven textures—no smooth lines here. The dome’s dark shape stands out against the lighter walls, almost like a spotlight. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see this sketch in person.

The story of this work

Overview

A watercolour by John Piper, signed and titled, depicting the Dashwood Mausoleum at West Wycombe Park. Created in 1940 as part of the "Recording Britain" project, a wartime initiative funded by the Pilgrim Trust and directed by Sir Kenneth Clark, the work documents British architecture and landscape during a period of perceived national change. The scheme employed artists to record sites perceived as emblematic of national identity, focusing primarily on England while excluding Northern Ireland and covering only four Welsh counties. Over 1,500 works were produced by 97 artists between 1940…

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

Piper

A 1940s British artist known for delicate watercolours of country houses, churches, and riverside views, Piper captured quiet corners of England in soft washes and fine lines.

See the richer artist page