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exhibition

Mary Newcomb & Rebecca Louise Law : Compton Verney

… two complementary approaches to nature … with “Nature’s Canvas” & “Seasons”

Mary Newcomb (1922-2008) was a scientist, farmer and a self taught artist who settled in rural East Anglia. Her works are a delightful mix of humour, close observation and near abstraction. This exhibition, Mary Newcomb: Nature’s Canvas, is a thoughtful presentation over fifty works, displayed alongside extracts from her writing and also selected work by the artists (including Alfred Wallis, Milton Avery and Winifred Nicholson) that inspired her. Apart from show stoppers such as The Lady with a bunch of Sweet Williams (above) and quirky titles (Cows affronted by Land Drains), I particularly like her sketches and watercolours …

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Cranach: Artist and Innovator : Compton Verney

… absorbing and thought provoking …

rings gloves costume

Who isn’t beguiled by Cranach? His sinuous, other worldly women and big nosed men in their sumptuous clothes and fine jewels, Continue reading “Cranach: Artist and Innovator : Compton Verney”

The Coventrys and Art : Croome Court

… pleasurable and thought provoking …

deerhurst coventry croome nesta

This excellent one room exhibition brings together 25 portraits of the Coventry family from the ermine robed dignitaries of the 17th century (attributed to Cornelius Johnson van Ceulen) right through to this year’s Continue reading “The Coventrys and Art : Croome Court”

A Dormouse Jar at the Ashmolean

… an earthenware fattening jar …

dormouse ashmolean

Obviously the star exhibit at the Last Supper in Pompeii show currently at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford is the glirarium or dormouse jar. (Glires is Latin for dormouse.) This large, lidded terracotta jar mimics the hibernation nest, perfect for Continue reading “A Dormouse Jar at the Ashmolean”

Helene Schjerfbeck : Royal Academy of Arts

… absolutely extraordinary. Go and see them …

Finnish Self Portrait expressionism

Wow! What a revelation! Why have I not heard of this artist before?

Helene Schjerfbeck (1862–1946) is a Finnish national icon – and most of her work remains there – after wandering around the Jungels-Winkler Galleries at the back of the Royal Academy, I can see why. I would hold onto every single one of them, tightly. From gorgeous Continue reading “Helene Schjerfbeck : Royal Academy of Arts”

William Simmonds: Court Barn Museum

… exquisite animals and one astonishing angel …

wood mouse william simmonds arts and crafts

The Court Barn Museum’s current exhibition displays an array of Arts and Crafts delights from William Simmonds including a number of extraordinary wood carvings which contemporary critics likened to Japanese Netsuke: smooth, polished, small images of nature including a wren encased in a box of furled leaves, a crouching group of leverets and this dormouse (above). This very personal exhibition includes Continue reading “William Simmonds: Court Barn Museum”

Grayson Perry : Landscapes : Croome Court

… thought provoking cartography …

Grayson Perry map

William, the 6th Earl of Coventry, bought the finest works of art and worked closely with Capability Brown to create the gardener’s “first and most favourite” landscape park. Continuing this vision, the exhibition in the Tapestry Room and Library of Croome Court shows three tapestries and two etchings by Grayson Perry centring around the theme of landscapes and identity. Continue reading “Grayson Perry : Landscapes : Croome Court”

Painting Childhood: From Holbein to Freud : Compton Verney

… capturing the luminosity of childhood …

Van Dyck Daughters of Charles I portrait royalty

Compton Verney excels at finding a fresh angle and by gathering a wonderful selection of art to create an absorbing, worthwhile exhibition. The spread of the show starts with a very fine Hans Holbein‘s preparatory sketch Continue reading “Painting Childhood: From Holbein to Freud : Compton Verney”

Elizabethan Treasures : National Portrait Gallery

… tiny fire crackers of colour & astonishing detail …

Henri iii france hilliard miniature

Tucked into a pocket or worn next of the heart, Queen Elizabeth keep them wrapped in tissue in a cabinet, the language of miniatures has always been an intimate affair. Created for love, diplomacy and remembrance these limnings of Hilliard and Oliver display exquisite details and jewel like colours. Withe their roots in illuminated manuscripts, the size of these watercolours draws you in, making you concentrate to appreciate every detail. This attention creates an intimacy not Continue reading “Elizabethan Treasures : National Portrait Gallery”

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