Artwork
The Clock Tower, Fen Stanton
The Clock Tower, Fen Stanton is a watercolor work on paper by the Social Realist artist Walker. It dates from 16 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
A red brick clock tower with a white cupola sits in the center, its clock face clear and round.
This watercolor shows a quiet village scene. A red brick clock tower with a white cupola sits in the center, its clock face clear and round. To the left, a small stone house has a blue sign with a white arrow.
A covered shelter with columns stands in front of the tower, and a few people walk nearby. The sky is pale with soft clouds, and leafless trees line the right side.
The artist painted this on May 16, 1941, capturing a moment of everyday life. The clock tower’s simple design stands out against the muted colors of the village.
Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.
Overview
The Clock Tower, Fen Stanton is a watercolour painting depicting a village scene in Cambridgeshire.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows the village lock-up, clock tower, and bus shelter in Fenstanton, capturing everyday life on May 16, 1941. The clock tower is the central focus, with a simple design and clear clock face.
Technique & Style
The watercolour features muted colours, with the red brick clock tower and white cupola standing out. Soft clouds and leafless trees are also depicted, creating a serene atmosphere.
History & Provenance
The painting was created as part of the 'Recording Britain' project, a wartime initiative to document the British home front. It was funded by the Pilgrim Trust and directed by Sir Kenneth Clark.
Context
The work is one of over 1,500 produced between 1940 and 1943 by 97 artists, focusing on English subjects significant to national identity.
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Artist & collection
Artist
An English watercolorist active in the early 1940s, this artist painted the spires, bridges, and inns of small-town England in quick, transparent washes.
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