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 or hut by an unknown artist, believed to be Douglas Camp. The interior is timber lined with dark wood tongue and groove dado panelling and built-in floor to ceiling shelves in one corner with books, pots, pans and bottles. Between the shelves and the bed is a small freestanding cupboard with a spirit stove and large metal tea pot on top. There are several framed pictures hung on the wall and one has a sprig of flowers and heather tucked behind it. On the other side of the shelves two coats are hung and there is a table and bentwood chair underneath a window (bottom half of window is hinged up). There appears to be several rugs or pieces of linoleum on the floor (some with coloured floral patterns).
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: overall: 32.5 cm x 24.3 cm
Materials: paper
Object name: watercolour painting
Collection: Art Collection
ID number: 2008-0170/6
Subject tags : #WW1INTERNMENTMUSEUMCOLLECTIONS