Who painted The Bathroom, Ashopton Inn?

The Bathroom, Ashopton Inn was painted by Rowntree in 1940.

Where can I see The Bathroom, Ashopton Inn?

The Bathroom, Ashopton Inn is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is The Bathroom, Ashopton Inn?

The Bathroom, Ashopton Inn is associated with Social Realism.

Artwork

The Bathroom, Ashopton Inn

Rowntree , 1940

The Bathroom, Ashopton Inn is a watercolor work on paper by the Social Realist artist Rowntree. It dates from 1940 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The Bathroom, Ashopton Inn is a 1940 watercolour by Rowntree, depicting a simple bathroom interior at the Ashopton Inn, created for the 'Recording Britain' project.

Subject & Meaning

The painting captures a mundane, orderly bathroom with wooden walls, twin basins, and a red wall sign, conveying a sense of everyday life and contributing to the project's goal of preserving national identity during WWII.

Technique & Style

Rowntree employed flat colors and clean lines, imparting a plain yet orderly feel to the space. Notably, the hand-painted appearance of the sign's text adds a touch of realism.

History & Provenance

Commissioned under Sir Kenneth Clark's 'Recording Britain' initiative, this work aimed to document threatened English scenes amidst wartime and urban development. Its current location is not specified here, but similar works can be found at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Context

Part of a broader effort to record England's landscapes and places during WWII, this piece reflects the project's focus on preserving national heritage in the face of war and change.