Civil Police Barracks, St. Omer

Alistair Grant (1925 - 1997)

Oil on canvas

Share this:

© Estate of the Artist

License this image

Start Zooming
  • About the work
    Location
    Country: France
    City: Paris
    Place: British Embassy

    This painting depicts the road leading up to a large building of yellow bricks with a steep blue roof. The composition of the painting emphasises the geometric pattern of the architecture, with the building’s windows and chimney stacks neatly organised. 


    Known as the ‘town of yellow bricks’, Saint-Omer is a small town in the Pas-de-Calais region in north-eastern France. The town lies along the canalised Aa River and is 22 miles (36 km) southwest of the Belgian frontier. The town grew around a monastery and a chapel, founded in the seventh century by the Benedictine monk, St. Omer, who sought to convert the local Flemish population to Christianity. The Civil Police Barracks, depicted here, is built in a style of architecture found throughout the town and, in particular, is reminiscent of the Musée de l'hôtel Sandelin which was designed in the spirit of Louis XV and built in 1776–1777.


  • About the artist
    Alistair Grant was a printmaker, painter and illustrator. He was born in Kensington, London. His mother was from Etaples in Northern France: Grant retained the family home here and the region inspired his work throughout his life. From 1941-43 he studied at Birmingham College of Art, before being conscripted into the Royal Air Force. He subsequently studied at the Royal College of Art, where he was appointed Head of Printmaking in 1970 and Professor in 1984. Grant was involved in the production of several UK films, including The Portrait of Dorian Gray and The Battle of Agincourt. After retiring from the Royal College, Grant focused on his work, exhibiting both in England and France and spending his time between London, Etaples and Paris.
  • Explore
    Places
    France, Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Saint-Omer
    Subjects
    topography, townscape/cityscape, tree, smoke, garden, street, chimney
    Materials & Techniques
    canvas, oil
  • Details
    Artist
    Alistair Grant (1925 - 1997)
    Title
    Civil Police Barracks, St. Omer
    Date
    Medium
    Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    height: 61.20 cm, width: 76.50 cm
    Acquisition
    Purchased from Zwemmer Gallery, February 1955
    Inscription
    bl: A Grant
    GAC number
    3165