Wheelwright's Yard, Gloucester Street, Malmesbury
1942
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1942
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Wheelwright's Yard, Gloucester Street, Malmesbury is a 1942 watercolor by Puller, a Social Realism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
The painting depicts a serene scene of a street corner, with a man riding a bicycle on the left side. The street is lined with old buildings, including a large house with a fence and a smaller house with a chimney. A blue sign reading "J.M. Smith Carriage Wagon Works" hangs above the street, adding a touch of color to the otherwise muted palette. In the foreground, the man on the bicycle is dressed in a suit and hat, giving the scene a sense of everyday life. The buildings in the background are rendered in soft, muted colors, with the large house featuring a prominent chimney and a fence surrounding its yard. This painting is reminiscent of the work of artist Puller, who was known for his detailed and realistic depictions of everyday scenes.
This watercolour by Puller, dated 1942, depicts the entrance to a wheelwright's workshop in Malmesbury, identified by a sign reading "J. M Smith Carriage.Wagon Works." A cyclist approaches the scene, framed within the context of the 'Recording Britain' project, which employed artists to document British topography during the Second World War. The work reflects the scheme's focus on traditional industries and rural life amid concerns over wartime and postwar changes to the landscape. It was part of a broader effort to preserve a visual record of a perceived 'vanishing Britain.'
Read the full account in the museum source.
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