Ham Street, Cows from Manor Farm passing Ham House stables
John Sanderson Sanderson-Wells
1940
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
John Sanderson Sanderson-Wells
1940
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Ham Street, Cows from Manor Farm passing Ham House stables is a 1940 watercolor by John Sanderson Sanderson-Wells, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting depicts a serene street scene, with a row of cows making their way down the center of the road. The cows are walking away from the viewer, their heads down as they move towards the left side of the image. In the background, a large building stands, its facade adorned with a small window and a sloping roof. The scene is rendered in soft, muted colors, with the cows and the building standing out against a gentle, hazy backdrop. The overall effect is one of quiet tranquility, as if the viewer has stumbled upon a peaceful moment in time. The artist's use of watercolor creates a sense of softness and delicacy, adding to the overall sense of calm. For more information on the artist's technique, explore the concept of sfumato.
This drawing by John Sanderson-Wells depicts a herd of cows moving along a tree-lined lane, with the walled entrance to a stable block visible on the right. Created in 1940 as part of the *Recording Britain* project, it documents rural English life during the Second World War, reflecting concerns about changing landscapes and traditions. The work was commissioned by the Committee for the Employment of Artists in Wartime, supported by the Pilgrim Trust, and contributed to a broader effort to record the national identity of Britain. Over 1,500 works were produced by 97 artists as part of this…
Read the full account in the museum source.
John Sanderson-Wells painted quiet watercolor scenes of London’s riverside in the 1940s.
See the richer artist page
