Art in Exile: The Work of Charles Wellens – Part Two

3rd January 2024 / Museum blog

In this second blog on Charles Wellens, we look at the painting itself. It was produced by Wellens in 1915 when he lived in Chippenham. It shows Common Slip and is painted in a style inspired by the work of Impressionists such as Monet and Renoir.

The painting was previously thought to show River Street in Chippenham, but is actually now known to be of Common Slip, a short road at the end of St. Mary Street that once gave access to the River Avon. The view point Wellen’s has chosen is with his back to the River, looking up Common Slip towards Ladd’s Lane.

The view today has not substantially changed from that seen in the painting, with many of the buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Wellens has captured some of the quirky features that still exist today, such as the small window in the gable end of the building, to the brick chimney stack in the stone building behind.

Wellens was influenced by the Impressionists, including Monet, Pissarro and Renoir, as well as the Belgium art movement Luminism of the early 20th century. Their work was characterised by short, loose brushstrokes, unblended colours, and an emphasis on the effects of light. Rather than blacks and whites, shadows and highlights are rendered in colour, as can be seen in the purple shadows and the many coloured spots used to create the cottages and the path.

Like the impressionists Wellens likely painted some of the work outdoors known as ‘en plein air’. This allowed him to capture the effects of light and achieve the effect of spontaneity in the work.

Art in Exile: The Work of Charles Wellens – Part Two

Chippenham Town Council