First World War internee watercolour of hut interior
Date made: 1914-1918
Artist: unknown
Description: A watercolour sketch of the interior of the corner of an internment chalet at Douglas Internment Camp by an unknown internee. The interior is timber lined with dark wood tongue and groove dado panelling and a built-in cupboard in the corner flanked by one row of book-lined wooden shelves. There are several paintings on the wall including views of internment huts, a Steam Packet vessel and a portrait. The watercolour sketch (MNH collection ID Number: 2008-0170/11) appears to be framed and hung on the right hand wall. There appears to be a coloured floral carpet, rug or linoleum on the floor and a trunk under the bed. The furniture includes a single bed, a small handmade table (with a green table cloth and vase of roses), a bentwood chair and a towel rail. The watercolour sketch has been mounted on a green sugar paper mount.
The watercolour sketch of the interior is similar to the glass negatives of Douglas Camp chalet interiors, e.g. MNH collection Reference No: PG/7870/36995.
Background:
During the First World War (1914-1918) the Isle of Man was used as an internment base for civilian ‘enemy aliens’. They were held in two camps, a requisitioned holiday camp in Douglas and a purpose built camp located at Knockaloe near Peel on the west coast of the Island. These held at their peaks over 4,000 and 23,000 men in some cases for nearly five years between opening in 1914 and final closure in 1919.
Measurements: artwork: 17 cm x 25 cm; overall: 24 cm x 30.5 cm
Materials: paper
Object name: watercolour painting
Collection: Art Collection
ID number: 2008-0170/4
Subject tags : #WW1INTERNMENTMUSEUMCOLLECTIONS