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The Duck House in the Park of Buckland House near Faringdon

Piper

1940

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Early Modern

Dominant colour

The Duck House in the Park of Buckland House near Faringdon is a 1940 watercolor by Piper, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

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

About this work

This sketch shows a simple building with a round archway in the middle. The walls are drawn in light lines, and the roof looks weathered. Dark, smudgy clouds fill the sky, while the ground is rough and uneven. The artist used loose, fast strokes—almost like quick notes—to show the scene. The building looks old, with a mix of stone and wood. Next, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.

The story of this work

Overview

This watercolour by John Piper depicts the Duck House, a folly with an arched structure and pediment situated in the grounds of Buckland House. Created in 1940 as part of the *Recording Britain* project, the work was commissioned to document aspects of the British landscape during the Second World War. The scheme, led by Sir Kenneth Clark, aimed to preserve a record of places and traditions perceived as vulnerable to wartime changes or destruction. The painting is part of a collection of over 1,500 works produced by 97 artists under the project.

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