Watercolours by John Steane

Over Summer 2025 we will have a display of beautiful watercolour paintings of Oxfordshire barn interiors by archaeologist and artist John Steane, FSA (1931-2014). 

Steane was County Archaeologist for Oxfordshire from 1978-1990 , based at the Oxfordshire Museum at Fletcher’s House, Woodstock. He was involved in protecting and studying some of the county’s most interesting sites, and he took a particular interest in historic barns, painting a series of their interiors on his travels around the county. 

From 1st July, visit the Introductory Gallery to see five of these paintings on display, learn more about the artist, and help us discover the location of our mystery barn. 

Once you’ve seen the painting, why not then visit Swalcliffe Barn in person? Swalcliffe Barn is open on Sundays and Bank Holidays until 28th September, and houses our collection of agricultural vehicles’. 

Image credit: Swalcliffe Barn, near Banbury, by John Steane (1931-2014). On loan from Elaine Steane, MBE