Who painted Coppice Mill, Stone?

Coppice Mill, Stone was painted by Puller.

Where can I see Coppice Mill, Stone?

Coppice Mill, Stone is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Coppice Mill, Stone?

Coppice Mill, Stone is associated with Regionalism.

Can I buy a print of Coppice Mill, Stone?

Museum-quality prints of Coppice Mill, Stone are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Coppice Mill, Stone

Puller

Coppice Mill, Stone is a watercolor work on paper by the Regionalist artist Puller. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Created in 1943, this watercolour portrays a modest rural scene in the Staffordshire countryside.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1943, this watercolour portrays a modest rural scene in the Staffordshire countryside. A watermill with its wheel set to the left dominates the background, while a chimney releases a thin plume of smoke near the centre of the composition. In the foreground a woman walks along a country lane, pushing a baby carriage, accompanied by a dog.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures everyday life in a wartime landscape, juxtaposing the continuity of domestic routine, embodied by the mother and child, with the enduring presence of local industry, represented by the mill and its chimney. The tranquil, sunlit atmosphere suggests a resilient, bucolic identity that persists despite the broader disruptions of the era.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolour, the painting relies on a limited palette of warm browns and yellows to convey the bright daylight. Loose washes define the sky and fields, while finer brushwork renders the mill wheel, chimney and figures with modest detail. The overall effect balances atmospheric softness with enough clarity to identify the architectural elements.

History & Provenance

The piece was produced as part of the Recording Britain project, a government‑sponsored programme that commissioned artists to document the nation’s landscapes and built environment during World War II. By recording such scenes, the initiative aimed to safeguard visual records of places that might be altered or lost through wartime damage or post‑war development.

Context

Set against the backdrop of the early 1940s, the painting reflects a period when rural England was both a source of food production and a symbol of national stability. The inclusion of a working watermill underscores the continued importance of traditional industry, while the domestic figure highlights the everyday responsibilities carried on at home.