£295.00
Following my success in 2010 of Runner Up in the Bath painting Prize with my watercolour of the Royal Crescent, I decided to enter the competition again the following year. In 2011 there was a specific category of the best painting of the Circus, Bath.
To enter, one had to paint a scene “plein air” of a specific location in Bath given to each artist by the organisers.
My location to paint was Kingsmead Square. So in August, Susan and I went to Bath for a couple of days for me to paint on location. I obtained reference of the other scenes I wanted to paint too. As it rained for much of the time, my “en plein air” painting was executed under the shelter of an umbrella. However on the morning of our departure, the bad weather lifted. I was able to spend some time to get the reference I needed to do a painting of the Circus Bath.
The one I entered for the competition was of the Circus seen from the outside. However in the spring I also painted this scene, a much larger watercolour capturing the interior and the trees that were about to bud. Again, I began by painting a couple of sketchbook watercolours on location which you can see here.
This limited edition print has been reproduced the same size as the original. Smaller sizes are also available on request.
The original watercolour is also available. Please email art@alanreed.com
The Circus, Bath was inspired by the Colosseum in Rome. This is another great piece of architecture I have painted, both from the inside and out. The Colosseum was designed to be seen from the outside, whereas the Circus faces inwardly. Work began in 1754 and completed in 1768. Sadly Wood died less than 3 months after the first stone was laid. His son, John Wood the Younger completed the scheme to his father’s design.
The Circus is divided into three segments of equal length, with a lawn in the centre. Each segment faces one of the three entrances, ensuring a classical façade is always presented straight ahead.
Like the Royal Crescent, The Circus is constructed from Bath stone, a Limestone comprising granular fragments of calcium carbonate. The Royal Crescent in Bath is a wonderful landmark of thirty grand 18th century houses built in a giant curve. Designed by John Wood the Younger and built from 1767 to 1774, it is one of the best examples of old Georgian style architecture in England. The Circus Restaurant is set in a fine Georgian house in Bath’s most beautiful position – between The Circus and The Royal Crescent. Voted number 4 in the United Kingdom by The Times.



