British water-colours

Published in 1951 by Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, this volume was curated to coincide with the Festival of Britain, a national exhibition designed to promote a sense of recovery and optimism in post-war Britain. Graham Reynolds, who served as the Keeper of the Department of Paintings at the Victoria and Albert Museum, was tasked with providing a scholarly yet accessible overview of the nation's rich tradition of watercolour painting, serving as both an educational resource and a cultural souvenir of the era.

The book’s design reflects the mid-century commitment to accessible art history, featuring a carefully selected plate section that highlights the medium's development from topographical drawings to the expressive landscapes of Turner and Cotman. Reynolds sought to frame British watercolour not merely as a minor art form, but as a central pillar of national identity. Upon release, the volume was well-received by critics and museum-goers for its concise expertise, cementing its reputation as a definitive, understated survey of the genre during the early 1950s.