In the seemingly endless weeks of life under lockdown due to Covid-19 the only view of the world seen by some people was through a window. I have selected some artworks of people looking through windows and tried to imagine that they are living under lockdown and what they might be thinking. Thanks to Ray Davies of The Kinks for the title of my curation and the inspiration for the first picture!

14 artworks
  • Waterloo Sunset

    How many more sunsets until I can go and meet my lover on Waterloo Bridge again?

    Helen
    Paul Radcliffe (1907–1992)
    Oil on board
    H 118.5 x W 76 cm
    Gallery Oldham
    Helen
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Gallery Oldham

  • I don't have to get dressed today

    No point in getting dressed today. Who's going to see me?

    The Bedroom Window
    Peter Rasmussen (b.1927)
    Oil on canvas
    H 38.1 x W 27.9 cm
    RWA (Royal West of England Academy)
    The Bedroom Window
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: RWA (Royal West of England Academy)

  • When can I go home?

    The view from my window at home is so much nicer than the one from the window by my hospital bed.

    'I've Got Sixpence!', August 1941 2006
    Stephen Chaplin (b.1934)
    Oil on canvas laid on panel
    H 30.5 x W 25.4 cm
    Bromley Historic Collections
    'I've Got Sixpence!', August 1941
    © the artist. Image credit: Bromley Historic Collections

  • Peaceful afternoon

    Gazing at my garden, lost in my memories, the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

    The Garden Window
    Thérèse Lessore (1884–1945)
    Oil on canvas
    H 49 x W 60 cm
    Islington Local History Centre and Museum
    The Garden Window
    Image credit: Islington Local History Centre and Museum

  • What does the future hold?

    My baby doesn't know what is going on. He is happy to spend his days at home with me. I worry what the future will be like for him.

    Spring, the Morning Room
    William Rothenstein (1872–1945)
    Oil on canvas
    H 97.3 x W 76.3 cm
    Southampton City Art Gallery
    Spring, the Morning Room
    Image credit: Bridgeman Images

  • Life goes on

    I must get this piece right before our brass band Zoom meeting tonight.

    Individual Exercise 1958
    Colin William Dick (1929–2017)
    Oil on board
    H 50.8 x W 60.9 cm
    Herbert Art Gallery & Museum
    Individual Exercise
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Herbert Art Gallery & Museum

  • I miss my family

    I hope they haven't forgotten about me.

    Henriette M. 1961
    Marie-Louise von Motesiczky (1906–1996)
    Oil on canvas
    H 76 x W 81 cm
    Manchester Art Gallery
    Henriette M.
    © Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable Trust. Image credit: Manchester Art Gallery

  • Frustration

    I want to go out with my friends!

    September Sunlight 1916
    Dorothy Johnstone (1892–1980)
    Oil on canvas
    H 150 x W 106 cm
    University of Edinburgh
    September Sunlight
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Edinburgh

  • Neighbourhood watch

    They are too close together. Why can't some people obey the rules?

    Portrait of a Lady in an Apron Looking out of the Window 1952
    Georges van Houten (1888–1964)
    Oil on canvas
    H 91 x W 73 cm
    Examination Schools, University of Oxford
    Portrait of a Lady in an Apron Looking out of the Window
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Examination Schools, University of Oxford

  • Sea view

    I love this view. I enjoy it every day.

    Bay Window
    Emrys Williams (b.1958)
    Oil on canvas
    H 23 x W 45.5 cm
    Newport Museum and Art Gallery
    Bay Window
    © the artist. Image credit: Newport Museum and Art Gallery

  • Loneliness

    The streets are empty and so is my heart.

    Lady in Green Looking through a Window 1956
    Georges van Houten (1888–1964)
    Oil on canvas
    H 73 x W 60 cm
    Examination Schools, University of Oxford
    Lady in Green Looking through a Window
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Examination Schools, University of Oxford

  • A good book

    It's wonderful having the time to escape in a book all day.

    Woman at a Window c. 1913
    Albert André (1869–1954)
    Oil on canvas
    H 60 x W 49 cm
    Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
    Woman at a Window
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

  • Boredom

    There is nothing to do.

    Untitled (Elderly Man by Window, Dens Works, Dundee) 1983
    Alastair McDonald
    Oil on canvas
    H 123 x W 122 cm
    University of Dundee, Duncan of Jordanstone College Collection
    Untitled (Elderly Man by Window, Dens Works, Dundee)
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Dundee, Duncan of Jordanstone College Collection

  • Lost in thought

    When will this be over? Will life ever go back to how it was before? Do I want it to be like it was before?

    Lady Astor Standing at a Window
    Edith M. Leeson Everett (1881–1965)
    Oil on canvas
    H 117.2 x W 74.6 cm
    The Box, Plymouth
    Lady Astor Standing at a Window
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: The Box, Plymouth