Clifford's Tower, 2024

Clifford’s Tower, York depicts one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, rising from the grassy mound that once formed part of its medieval defences. Standing at the heart of York, the tower has endured for centuries and continues to draw visitors drawn to its imposing presence and historic significance.

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Lees adopts a highly impressionistic approach, using rough, heavily textured impasto to echo the weathered surface of the ancient stonework. The expressive brushstrokes suggest the marks left by time, erosion and centuries of exposure, transforming the solidity of the tower into something more tactile and atmospheric.

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The traditional tones of aged stone are replaced by unexpected shades of peach, pink and violet, which are echoed in the clouds above. This connection between earth and sky softens the monument's imposing character and gives the historic structure an almost dreamlike quality.

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A low viewpoint heightens the presence of the tower, allowing it to dominate the composition, while loosely applied suggestions of tourists provide a sense of movement and scale without distracting from the architecture. Through its expressive handling of paint and unconventional colour, Clifford’s Tower, York presents a familiar landmark not simply as a historical monument, but as a living part of the city's landscape and collective identity.

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Oil on board 8 x 9.5in

36 x 31cm framed

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£350

Supplied framed with glass as shown below 

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UK shipping complementary, please contact us for international destinations

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