Mills (Brazil Mill) on the Wandle
Watercolour by G. Yates, depicting the Mills (Brazil Mill) on the Wandle. 1826
This watercolour depicts a large mill complex situated on a river, the river Wandle. The composition is dominated by the mill buildings, which are multiple structures connected. The main building is rectangular, with a prominent windmill tower attached to the right side end. The roof tiles are painted a brownish tint, and the building itself is depicted in white. The building's great scale is conveyed by the three vertical rows of windows and the six horizontal rows. The windmill tower is tall, with the base of the windmill itself level with the main building's roof.
A number of arches can be seen beneath the water, while a bridge spans the river in the foreground. The scene is framed by trees.
There are several inscription in different areas of the painting: "Wandsworth" at the top centre, "Wandsworth Mills on the River Wandle" at the bottom centre of the watercolour, and "G. Yates 1826" on the bottom left of the watercolour.
Artist Biography
Gideon Yates (Active early 19th century) Also referred to as G. Yates or Major George Yates, Gideon Yates was a British topographical artist known for his detailed watercolours and engravings of London and its surrounding areas. His works document the architectural and social landscape of South London, including areas now part of Wandsworth. Yates’s art captures the transition of suburban spaces during a period of rapid urban development, offering valuable insight into the region’s historical geography.
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