1. Canal Art
Bargee Art

2. Barges and Narrowboats

3. Aim of the Lesson
• To appreciate the art and designs from the
Bargee community.
• To understand the history and culture of
the Bargee community
• To produce a piece of art work that
reflects the Bargee culture.

4. History
Canals started to be built in the middle of
the 18th century, around 1759. They were
used to move heavy cargoes, such as
coal between cities and towns. The
families who ran the narrow boats up and
down the canals were called Bargees or
Water Gypsies.

5. Legislation
• The Canal Boats Act of 1877 stated that
as part of health and safety legislation the
families must maintain their boats to a
high standard. This included the painting
of the boats on a regular basis. This
encouraged the Bargees to think about
the colours and the designs they would
use on their individual boats. The
traditional designs were established.

6. Designs

7. Decorations
The Bargees developed a new system of
traditional decorations. Different parts of
the boat were painted in several colours.
On to the plain colours they painted
playing cards symbols, they especially
liked diamond shapes. They then painted
motifs of castles, flowers, stars, moons
and ropes. Before long the decorations
moved to buckets, flower pots and pans.

8. Diamonds

9. Flowers and Castles

10. Water Cans

11. Coal Scuttles

12. Designs
Why these designs became standard is a
mystery. Ropes are an obvious choice,
but why castles and roses should be so
popular the reason is not clear. One thing
is for sure that the Bargees liked bright
colours and bold designs that were
cheerful. All the designs were unique to
each family. Every boat would display the
family name.

13. Family names

14. Activity
• Produce a piece of art work that reflects
the traditional Bargee designs.
• Take a typical moveable object that you
would find in your home and decorate it in
the traditional Bargee designs.