Who painted The Old Prison, Northleach?

The Old Prison, Northleach was painted by Swan in 1943.

Where can I see The Old Prison, Northleach?

The Old Prison, Northleach is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

The Old Prison, Northleach

Swan , 1943

The Old Prison, Northleach is a watercolor work on paper by Swan. It dates from 1943 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

A few bare trees and a small fence line the scene, and the sky is soft and light.

This sketch shows a quiet street with a large, plain building in the middle. It looks like an old prison with tall windows and a flat roof. The walls are pale, and there’s a stone wall in front with a narrow path.

A few bare trees and a small fence line the scene, and the sky is soft and light.

The artist signed it in 1943, calling it The Old Prison, Northleach. The watercolor feels simple but careful, with gentle washes of color.

If you like this style, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Overview

The Old Prison, Northleach is a 1943 watercolour by Swan, created as part of the Recording Britain project. It depicts a former house of correction in Northleach, Gloucestershire.

Subject & Meaning

The painting shows a three-building complex linked by high walls, with a grassy forecourt and a low boundary wall. The prison's design reflects 1790s penal reform influences, having been designed by Sir George Onesiphorus Paul.

Technique & Style

The watercolour features gentle washes of colour, conveying a sense of simplicity and care. The artist's use of soft, light tones captures the quiet atmosphere of the scene.

History & Provenance

The Old Prison was originally built in the 1790s as a house of correction. The watercolour was created in 1943, during a wartime initiative to document Britain's cultural and architectural heritage.