Thomas Heath Robinson painted this atmospheric painting of a First World War ‘Tommy’ for the VAD military convalescence hospital at Pinner, a town now in the London borough of Harrow.
The hospital opened in February 1915 as one of 352 auxiliary hospitals set up in the London district to treat wounded soldiers. It closed in 1919.
Thomas Heath Robinson was the elder brother of the famous cartoonist William Heath Robinson. He trained at the Islington School of Art and went on to become a successful illustrator of books. He settled in Pinner in 1906.
This painting hung on the walls of the VAD hospital for the duration of the war, and may have been used to raise funds for the work there. It now joins the collection of Headstone Manor, the local history museum for the Harrow area.
More information
Title of artwork, date
V.A.D. Pinner, 1915
Date supported
2019
Medium and material
Acrylic. The painting also has very obvious pencil lines, to mark out the various shapes and lettering, as well as for the central figure. Then there is a mixture of watered down acrylic as well as some watercolour paints used. There are areas of texture.
Dimensions
82 x 55
Total cost
2000
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