Prior to the arrival of the mass-produced camera in 1900, watercolour was the medium we used to record the world we encountered. The Watercolour World’s mission is to collect together all these documentary works – from private and public collections from across the globe – into a free, geolocated online database, for the whole World to see.
Volunteer with us
TWW would not exist without volunteers. They help us to scan, catalogue and upload thousands of images to the website each year.
Share your watercolours
The pre-photographic history of the world is hidden in the attics and albums of homes around the world. Add your piece of the puzzle.
Schools
The Watercolour World is for Everyone and we believe it can serve as an invaluable education resource for a number of subjects, across all ages.
Content for this section is in preparation. We very much welcome suggestions for teacher packs from the teaching profession. Please contact us if you would like to contribute.
Features
Ruskin’s warning to the industrial world
Around the world with Robert Elwes
Australia as drawn by convicts
Latest
We’ve recently added several hundred new paintings to our website from collections including Royal Irish Academy and The Alpine Club.
Newsletter
Keep up to date with our progress
